Supporting Indonesian tourism

Gunung Agung from Gili Trawangan

Traveled around Lombok and Bali the last three weeks, and very sad to see the state of tourism there as a result of the pandemic, and felt compelled to write this post to try and support Indonesia's domestic tourism sector. At this stage, I believe we just have to accept the fact that Covid19 is here to stay just like all the flu strains before them, and learn to live with it.

In the last six weeks, I have now traveled three times using Garuda. I feel very safe to fly. Before flying, all passengers need to have evidence of a negative rapid test. In the case of Garuda, they have HEPA air filters on the plane, they put an empty seat between passengers, everyone wears masks on the plane, health protocols are announced and adhered, when its time to disembark, passengers are told to wait in their seat first and let passengers in front of them disembark first. Passengers are also wary and practice social distancing while waiting to board the plane.

We can travel safely, and once reaching our destination we can create a "safety bubble" around us wherever we go. I wear masks everywhere, have hand sanitizers in my pocket, I wash my hands every chance I get, I try not to touch my face, I practice social distancing, I gargle every night and make sure I am healthy, exercise and rest well and reduce work stress.

The promise of clear blue skies, fresh air in Bali, in Lombok or in any other tourist destination and doing some good to help our kin suffering in the tourism sector is worth the risk of flying for me. I am coming back.