Indonesia prioritizes pandemic over tourism as omicron worries swirl

Minister says tough controls will help country as it gears up to chair G-20

Despite Indonesia's reopening, Bali's Nusa Dua beach remained empty in mid-November. (Photo by Shotaro Tani)

SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writer

November 29, 2021 16:03 JST

JAKARTA -- Indonesia is prioritizing COVID-19 control over tourism in the short term by continuing with tougher quarantine rules than many of its neighbors, a senior minister told Nikkei Asia, especially as the country gears up to chair the Group of 20 nations and host a series of meetings starting in December -- mainly in Bali.