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Jokowi wants ASEAN travel corridor in place by early 2021
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Flags of ASEAN member states (Shutterstock.com/Thapakorn Hemgo)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has called on ASEAN countries to swiftly implement a so-called travel corridor as part of the region's efforts to restore an economy battered badly by the COVID-19 outbreak.
At the 37th ASEAN Summit hosted by Vietnam on Thursday member states agreed on the framework for an ASEAN travel corridor arrangement (TCA) for essential business travelers.
Jokowi, attending the summit online, urged a swift, efficient move from the ASEAN coordination and sectoral boards to implement the measure. He said ASEAN should soon establish temporary fast lanes along with strict health protocols, including during departure and arrival, making use of regionally integrated digital platforms and determine ports of entry.
Jokowi had already proposed such an arrangement during an ASEAN Summit in June.
"I hope the ASEAN TCA can be in operation in the first quarter of next year,” Jokowi said in his speech to address the virtual plenary session of the summit on Thursday, as quoted by a press release from the Presidential Secretariat. “The arrangement will bring out optimism that our economic activities can be gradually activated while still maintaining discipline in implementing health protocols.”
"Our people cannot wait any longer; they want to see our region immediately rise up," he added.
Read also: Despite bans, RI urges ASEAN travel corridor
