Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on fellow leaders across Southeast Asia to quickly ‘reactivate safe travel.
Indonesia proposed the ASEAN travel corridor arrangement last year and ‘Jokowi’ urged ASEAN nations ‘to implement it immediately.’
"With the Covid-19 situation getting under control, these restrictions can be reduced. If all ASEAN countries immediately facilitate the mobility of people safely, the wheels of the economy can move again," he said.
Addressing the virtual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, he said it is possible with region-wide recognition of vaccination certificates and travel lanes for vaxxed travellers, along with negative Covid-19 tests on arrival.
To this end, it’s important vaccination rates top 70% of the population in ASEAN countries ‘as soon as possible.’
Currently, Indonesia is only about half this, although key tourist region Bali has exceeded this.
The virtual summit was attended by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the UK became the first new dialogue partner of ASEAN in 25 years.
After exited the European Union the UK is hoping to develop stronger ASEAN ties.
