Indonesia Rewards Health Workers With Free Staycation

english.jpnn.com, JAKARTA - The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has prepared a free staycation program for health workers and supporting staff at health facilities who have been fighting Covid-19 in the frontline.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said this was a form of appreciation from the government to health workers, as well as a way to propel the recovery of the national economy.

"Along with the downward trend in Covid-19 cases, we invite health workers to take advantage of the staycation program currently being prepared by the ministry," said Sandiaga in a written statement on Friday (22/10).

Sandiaga said that this staycation is part of the tourism industry reactivation program, where  accommodation, transportation, and other facilities would be provided for health workers.

He expected that this activity would have a multiplier effect, namely an increase in hotel occupancy by 40 percent.

Accordingly, previously laid off employees in the hotel and transportation industries will be rehired. The program is expected to increase the involvement of direct and indirect workers in those industries to approximately 8,600 people.

"And, there will be an increase in local revenue from corporate taxes in the accommodation and land transportation industries," said Sandiaga.

Deputy for marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Nia Niscaya, said that health workers and supporting staff who wanted to participate in the staycation program had to attach a letter of recommendation from the health facility the worked for.