Ternate, N Maluku, March 7 (Antara) - Maluku is enthusiastic with the prospect of thousands of foreign tourist to flock to that region to watch the rare natural phenomenon of total eclipse of the sun on March 9, but at the same time there are fears the spread of the dreaded disease of zika and ebola that might be brought in by the tourists.
"We will take precaution to ward off the threat of the viruses when thousands of foreign tourists visiting North Maluku to watch the total solar eclipse," head of the provincial health service Sidi Umar said here on Monday.
The Ternate port health office would conduct body scanning at the seaport, Sidi said.
Head of the tourism office in Ternate Anas Konoras said there are at least 2,000 foreign tourists to visit the province to watch the total eclipse in that region.
Anas said 21 tourist boats each carrying 300 domestic and foreign tourists are on the way to Ternate from various parts of the country.
Around 80 percent of the tourists would seek to enjoy seeing the eclipse on the island of Ternate and the rest in Jailolo and Maba, Anas said.
Maba on the Halmahera, Ternate`s neighboring island, would be the country`s last land from which the total eclipse could be seen.
The enthusiasms of the tourists, however, could end their visit in disappointment if thick cloud would block the view amid the rainy season in the country.
Meanwhile, the provincial health service has asked all district and city administrations in North Maluku to warn the people against the danger of damage to the eye retina if looking directly at the eclipse.
The Provincial administration has instructed all hospitals in that region to be ready with a medical team to offer medical assistance to cope with the threat of disease as a result of the natural phenomenon.
The North Maluku police said they already have data and information about the plan of visit by foreign tourists dominated by those of Europe and Latin America.
North Maluku police chief Brig.Gen. Zulkarnain there were already 1,836 foreign tourists now in North Maluku to watch the eclipse.
Zukkarnaen said 1,400 police officers have been made ready to cope with any security problem on March 9.
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2016
"We will take precaution to ward off the threat of the viruses when thousands of foreign tourists visiting North Maluku to watch the total solar eclipse," head of the provincial health service Sidi Umar said here on Monday.
The Ternate port health office would conduct body scanning at the seaport, Sidi said.
Head of the tourism office in Ternate Anas Konoras said there are at least 2,000 foreign tourists to visit the province to watch the total eclipse in that region.
Anas said 21 tourist boats each carrying 300 domestic and foreign tourists are on the way to Ternate from various parts of the country.
Around 80 percent of the tourists would seek to enjoy seeing the eclipse on the island of Ternate and the rest in Jailolo and Maba, Anas said.
Maba on the Halmahera, Ternate`s neighboring island, would be the country`s last land from which the total eclipse could be seen.
The enthusiasms of the tourists, however, could end their visit in disappointment if thick cloud would block the view amid the rainy season in the country.
Meanwhile, the provincial health service has asked all district and city administrations in North Maluku to warn the people against the danger of damage to the eye retina if looking directly at the eclipse.
The Provincial administration has instructed all hospitals in that region to be ready with a medical team to offer medical assistance to cope with the threat of disease as a result of the natural phenomenon.
The North Maluku police said they already have data and information about the plan of visit by foreign tourists dominated by those of Europe and Latin America.
North Maluku police chief Brig.Gen. Zulkarnain there were already 1,836 foreign tourists now in North Maluku to watch the eclipse.
Zukkarnaen said 1,400 police officers have been made ready to cope with any security problem on March 9.
Editor : John Nikita S
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2016