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Indonesia doubles down on ASEAN travel corridor despite being slapped with bans
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A lone 'tuk-tuk' driver waits for customers at Khao San Road, empty of tourists due to the restrictions on entry by foreigners into Thailand due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Bangkok on June 16. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)
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ndonesia continued to push for the establishment of an ASEAN travel corridor at the region’s premier foreign policy meeting, despite having been slapped with travel bans by other countries fearing the possibility of imported cases from the archipelago.
At the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday, the first time the annual meeting was held completely by video-conference, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi reiterated the need for a travel corridor arrangement, saying it would not only help in the global economic recovery but also signal ASEAN unity in responding to the pandemic.
“I spoke about how Indonesia has prepared an initial draft, which is currently being [studied] and I would like to express my appreciation for the support that has come from ASEAN member countries,” she told reporters after the meeting.
Retno acknowledged that it was not the right time to discuss the possibility of reopening tourism, but insisted it was still important to discuss the establishment of a special corridor for essential business travelers.
The idea of a travel corridor for ASEAN was first tabled by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in late June. The President has since bagged deals with China, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates for an arrangement to allow the movement of people for essential business purposes.
Read also: Indonesia proposes regional travel corridor at ASEAN summit
Several ASEAN counterparts backed the idea, believing the proposal would be a good start for addressing economic challenges in the region that have emerged from the COVID-19 outbreak.
