Indonesia extends closure of tourist destinations to contain COVID-19 spread
Indonesia’s Jakarta administration has decided to extend the closure of tourist destinations and entertainment venues until April 19 as part of the capital’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The tornado ride at Dufan (Fantasy Land) in Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, North Jakarta. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)
Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia’s Jakarta administration has decidedto extend the closure of tourist destinations and entertainment venues untilApril 19 as part of the capital’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Head of the Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency CucuAhmad Kurnia said previously, the Jakarta administration announced the temporary closure ofcity-owned tourist destinations and entertainment venues from March 23 to April5.
The Indonesian government has outlined a worst-case scenario where thedomestic economy contracts by 0.4 percent as the COVID-19 pandemic arrestsswaths of economic activity and poses recessionary risks to Southeast Asia’slargest economy, said Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.02 percent last year, already the slowestin four years. The World Bank has estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic willsignificantly slow Indonesia’s economic growth this year – 2.1 percent in 2020,down from the initially projected 5.1 percent – if the situation starts tonormalize by June.
The rupiah could hover around 17,500 Rp or even slideto as low as 20,000 Rp against the US dollar, the weakest in history, ifIndonesia’s economy contracts and the COVID-19 downturn is prolonged, MinisterSri Mulyani Indrawati warned.
The drop of the rupiah has made Indonesians worry about higher prices ofdaily supplies such as eggs, onions and sugar.
However, head of the national statistics bureau Kecuk Suhariyanto said Indonesia’s inflation rate in March was stillunder control./.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on March 24 that his government has agreed to extend debt payment deadlines for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for one year.
A number of Indonesian airlines have started laying off employees, including pilots, flight attendants, and technicians, as part of measures to reduce financial losses caused by COVID-19.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on March 31 announced six social assistance programmes benefiting households seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
The tornado ride at Dufan (Fantasy Land) in Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, North Jakarta. (Photo: thejakartapost.com) 
