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Despite low airfares, people avoid travel as fears grow amid COVID-19 outbreak
The novel coronavirus has begun to affect the country’s travel-related industry. Many visits were canceled following a ban imposed on visitors from China.
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School officials check the temperatures of students before they enter a school in Tangerang on March 3. (AFP/Demy Sanjaya)
M
any people are reluctant to travel despite a number of travel incentives and lower domestic airfare offered by airlines amid growing fears over the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.
Fears have escalated after the government confirmed the first two cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia on Monday.
Surabaya resident Ima Permatasari said she did not plan on traveling anywhere as a precautionary measure.
“It’s worrisome. I will wait at least until the situation returns to normal or until the virus can be contained before traveling again, although there are big airfare discounts,” she told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Syesa, who works in Jakarta, is also avoiding travel as she believed crowded places, including ,tourist destinations, posed higher risks of contracting the virus. “It’s a big no [to travel], especially to tourism spots. My main consideration is my child since he is still a toddler,” she said.
Syesa also hopes the government focuses more on other aspects, such as controlling the prices of basic needs ,which have increased sharply. Many people, especially in Jakarta, have stocked up on basic necessities as they fear the coronavirus outbreak may leave them house-bound, causing an increase in prices. She also urged the government to improve surveillance at points of entry, such as airports.
Meanwhile, Sugiri Adiyasa, also based in Jakarta, said he was avoiding air travel despite the low airfares. He is also taking further preventive measures by not using public transportation to go to work and avoiding crowded places. “I am avoiding places with crowds. My family can wait,” he said.
