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Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi has said the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to push the aviation industry, especially airlines, into bankruptcy.

“The pandemic has been a grim period for various businesses, including transportation. Even transportation and logistics are the deepest sectors that are experiencing problems,” Budi Karya said in a webinar entitled ‘Adaptation of New Habits for Transport toward Advanced Indonesia’ in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Conditions in the air transportation sector have been the worst because of restrictions on passenger movement, both domestically and internationally, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, he said. The restrictions have led to a drop in turnover of 30 percent to 50 percent.

“This creates a threat of bankruptcy. I take the example of air transportation in general, during the pandemic, in the national aviation industry. The drop appeared moderate in the first quarter and it fell sharply in March (2020). While entering the second quarter, the conditions were very difficult. We hope that in the third quarter, they will get better,” the minister observed.

Airlines in a number of countries have faced the threat of bankruptcy, such as Virgin Australia and Thai Airways, which have asked their governments to bail them out, he said.

“Two European airlines, Lufthansa and Air France of France, are on the brink of going out of business. Then, Thai Airways has carried out a replacement of operations this month because of the lockdown in Thailand," he added.

Another sector hit by the pandemic is the logistics sector, which heavily relies on the transportation sector.

“With the dismissal of airlines, cargo costs will also increase and disrupt the logistics sector,” the minister pointed out.

The two sectors have also contributed to economic growth, which was corrected by minus 5.32 percent.

In addition, the tourism sector has also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but currently, Bali is opening up and the number of visitors to the tourist site are starting to rise.

The Minister of Transportation said that Indonesia is not the only country that has been severely affected by the pandemic. Developed countries, including the United States, are also facing the same problems, he pointed out.

“We cannot give up, so we must move on with measured activities to encourage transportation that applies health protocols,” he said.

Many adjustments have been made to the new normal amid the ongoing pandemic, such as online tickets offers and implementation of health protocols, he remarked. (ANTARA)

Mount Sinabung spewed volcanic material during an eruption in Karo, North Sumatra, Monday (10/8/2020). Antara Foto / Sastrawan Ginting / Lmo / pras.

House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Azis Syamsuddin urged North Sumatra's regional government and other parties to act quickly and proactively to help communities affected by the erupting Mount Sinabung, Karo, North Sumatra, Aug 10.

"I urge the governor, district heads, security forces, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and other stakeholders to immediately help the residents and stop activities within a certain radius from the mountain’s peak for their own safety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic," he noted in a statement in Jakarta, Monday.

Syamsuddin appealed to the authorities, especially the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), to make concentrated and combined efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to immediately help residents around Mount Sinabung.

According to the DPR deputy speaker, the BNPB is currently at the forefront of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, but as a disaster mitigation agency, it must prioritize duties, principles, and functions (Tupoksi).

"Hence, ensure that the BNPB does not forget about its own main duties and functions despite currently being at the forefront of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic," the deputy speaker noted.

Furthermore, Syamsuddin urged the people around Mount Sinabung to adhere to the advice of the security apparatus if evacuation was deemed necessary to avoid exposure to volcanic ash if Mount Sinabung's alert status was increased.

"The people are urged to be obedient. Do not let any residents stay in their houses, as they have to look after livestock or land," he noted.

Mount Sinabung had erupted on Saturday at 1:58 a.m. WIB, sending a massive column of ash and smoke around two thousand meters high into the air, or some 4,460 meters above sea level.

This eruption was the first to have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic after the last one on June 9, 2019, sending volcanic ash up to seven thousand meters above the volcano's peak, or 9,460 meters above sea level. Mount Sinabung had remained dormant for four centuries, but it roared back to life in 2010 and has sporadically remained active.

The last known eruption, prior to recent times, occurred in the year 1600.

Volcanic ash from the erupting Mount Sinabung that reached two thousand meters into the air affected four sub-districts in Karo District, North Sumatra Province, on Saturday morning.

"Naman Teran, Berastagi, Simpang 4, and Merdeka are the sub-districts affected by the volcanic ash emitted from the erupting Mount Sinabung," Muhamad Nurul Assori, an officer at the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), stated here on Saturday.

PVMBG's Mount Sinabung Observation Post has appealed to residents to wear face masks or personal protection equipment to safeguard from exposure to the volcanic ash. (ANTARA)

Chief Secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry N. W. Giri Adnyani. (Antaranews/I Komang Suparta/2020)

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry backs the Bali provincial government to breathe new life into the tourism industry by implementing health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry always supports the regional governments' efforts to invite foreign tourists by applying health protocols," the ministry's chief secretary, N. W. Giri Adnyani, stated during the launch of digitalization of QRIS-based tourism and small and medium enterprises in Bangli District in Bali on Sunday.

Adnyani pointed out that Bali had been recognized as one of the world's main tourist destinations. In the face of the new normal, the provincial government had made necessary preparations to welcome foreign tourists, including by renovating facilities at tourist sites.

"We have coordinated with the regional government in making preparations for the arrival of tourists, including disseminating information on (the program) and reviewing tourist locations as advanced preparations to welcome the arriving tourists," she revealed.

Adnyani noted that tourist attractions in Bali have since long been known as the world's main tourism destinations. In 2019, tourists arriving in Bali constituted 40 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Indonesia.

"Looking ahead, we are optimistic that the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Bali will return to normal and will increase as compared to the previous year," she stated.

Speaking in connection with the use of the digital payment system (QRIS BPD), Adnyani welcomed the banking industry’s efforts to provide such service.

"The step taken by the banking industry to introduce QRIS is very good. This can reduce direct contact and help maintain physical distancing by complying with health protocols," she added. (ANTARA)

Screen Capture of Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), Penny Lukito, at a press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday (19/5/2020). ANTARA/Prisca Triferna/ac.

Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) Head Penny Lukito emphasized that efficacy along with guaranteed safety and quality were the key parameters during the clinical trial process conducted by Indonesia for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

"Clinical trials are important stages in the vaccine development," Lukito said as quoted from the BPOM official site on Monday.

The agency’s head noted that the clinical trials underway must meet scientific aspects and uphold research ethics in accordance with the Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Test results are required to support the COVID-19 vaccine registration process as a form of access to the product's needs.

In addition to the clinical trials, Lukito remarked that the vaccine to be tested must also be produced in accordance with the standards for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Specifically, for vaccines, the BPOM extensively conducts release certifications to maintain product safety and quality.

"Given the urgent need for the COVID-19 vaccine, the BPOM remains committed to monitoring compliance with regulations, standards, and requirements throughout the vaccine journey cycle, starting from the phase-appropriate formulation development to drug distribution, including the stage III clinical trial stage," she expounded.

On Thursday (August 6), Lukito stated that the BPOM, along with several stakeholders, had held a kick-off meeting and simulation of the COVID-19 vaccine’s clinical trials at the Faculty of Medicine Bandung's Padjadjaran University. This was aimed at commencing a clinical trial of the SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccine attenuated by Sinovac, China.

The BPOM head sought the public’s continued support to the government's efforts to expedite the handling of COVID-19, including through becoming a phase III clinical trial volunteer.

Lukito also appealed to the research team and parties involved in the vaccine’s clinical trials to comply with all applicable regulations for their smooth implementation.

"Availability of the COVID-19 vaccine offers a ray of hope to all Indonesian people. Hence, the aspect of caution and accuracy in the implementation of this clinical trial procedure must be a common concern. Thus, the vaccine produced can actually provide efficacy along with guaranteed safety and quality in addition to being available within the expected timeframe," she remarked.

Lukito believes the public can also play an active role by being prudent and wise in responding to information circulated on the development of the COVID-19 drug. Residents should not easily believe news or information from unaccounted sources. (ANTARA)