Local News

Turkish Airlines Resumes The Istanbul-Bali Flight Route Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid coronavirus outbreak Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid coronavirus outbreak

Turkish Airlines has officially landed a flight at the international terminal of Bali Ngurah Rai Airport for the first time since 2020. Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, some with chartered flights organized by their respective governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, some with chartered flights organized by their respective governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried over 200 passengers back to Austria. over 200 passengers back to Austria. Foreign missions in Foreign missions in Indonesia have Indonesia have actively used social actively used social media to assist their media to assist their respective citizens. respective citizens. As fewer flights As fewer flights The President of Angkasa Pura I, Faik Fahmi, confirmed become available become available that Turkish Airlines has resumed the Istanbul – Bali due to global travel due to global travel route and has landed its first flight at Bali Ngurah Rai restrictions, their restrictions, their Airport on Tuesday evening (29/3). efforts include efforts include assisting those seeking to return home to find available assisting those seeking to return home to find available “We’re enthusiastic about the resumption of routes by Turkish Airlines. Bali Airport now has more international flights that will transport a larger amount of visitors into the island,” Faik said on Wednesday (30/3). flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists The plane that landed at 7:41 pm transported 288 passengers. They flew for over 12 hours from Istanbul, arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia and the United States topped the list of visitors. arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia and the United States topped the list of visitors. Turkey, and were scheduled to fly back to Istanbul on Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were the same day at 9:45 pm with 208 passengers on ordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus ordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus board. outbreak, wherein officials also cited evidence of Indonesia’s outbreak, wherein officials also cited evidence of Indonesia’s current medical capacity, among other things, to urge current medical capacity, among other things, to urge “The flight was 70 percent full. That’s a good beginning immediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend immediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend as more travelers become less reluctant to travel,” Faik their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed added. immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to This resumed route is scheduled to operate every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 are being given an automatic extension for their stay the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 are being given an automatic extension for their stay Turkish Airlines had been operating this route since July permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) 2019 but then decided to close its operation in early 2020 when the pandemic struck. “With this resumption, Bali Airport will receive an average of 520 passengers through the international terminal daily, from 5 different flights,” Faik concluded. (thebalisun.com 01/04)

No Large-Scale Social Restrictions policy for Bali just Hundreds of Indonesian crew members flying yet, provincial government says in from Italy skip quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19

Who killed the Berawa beach dogs? The Bali provincial government says it has yet to consider imposing Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) policy, which requires approval from the central government, to curb the spread of COVID-19 here, claiming that it has already implemented similar steps to an extent. Over 300 Indonesian crew members from the MSC Splendida cruise ship reportedly did not undergo quarantine upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport despite having flown in from Genoa, Italy on Monday night. Officials said all of them tested negative for the novel coronavirus, after rapid tests that were conducted at the airport. “As soon as they arrived they were checked by officers from the Port Health Authority and followed with rapid tests. The results were negative and [they] didn’t have to be quarantined,” Ida Bagus Ngurah Arda, who heads Bali province’s Manpower Agency, told Kompas yesterday. There were 316 Indonesian crew members in total who boarded a flight with Qatar Airlines from Genoa to Denpasar, via Doha. As reported by Kompas, the crew members had also undergone a health examination while in Genoa, after which they were declared healthy and permitted to return to Indonesia. Italy is one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with over 105,000 confirmed cases and more than 12,000 deaths. Indonesians coming from COVID-19 hot zones, which includes Italy, are subject to health screening by the Port Health Authority upon arrival. Should authorities find that they are exhibiting early symptoms of COVID-19, they will be observed at a government facility for two weeks. On the other hand, those who do not exhibit early symptoms are advised to self-quarantine for the same period. Yesterday, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy urged Indonesians overseas to stay in the countries in which they are living. The government said there are no plans to arrange their repatriation, but that they will be provided with supplies. Indonesia is currently anticipating mass arrivals of Indonesians abroad, particularly those seeking to leave Malaysia as it enforces its movement control order (MCO), as well as crew members of international cruise ships looking to return home as some cruise lines halt their operations. For the latter, their return will likely be through Ngurah Rai, Muhadjir said, adding that there are about 11,000 Indonesian crew members abroad. As of yesterday afternoon, Bali has recorded 19 positive COVID-19 cases. This includes two deaths of foreign nationals and four recoveries. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020)

For the last six years, 67-year-old Angie Bryce would Speaking to Kumpwake up before 5am and cook chicken meat, chicken aran yesterday, reliver, and rice for the street dogs along Canggu’s beach gional secretary of es.the Bali administration, Dewa Made Indra, said that the provincial government is open to implementing PSBB, should risks of the novel coronavirus on the island continue to escalate and require a stricter approach. “Here in Bali we are already enforcing strict limitations. Substantially we have preceded this PSBB policy, but formally and according to the [new] government regulation of course we haven’t,” Indra said. PSBB is designed to limit mobility within a region,essentially imposing the same social distancing measures that have already been seen in parts of Indonesia affected by the viral Carrying around 25 kilograms of home-cooked dog disease, though this includes additional measures and food in her bag, Angie would then either call her usual stricter enforcement. motorcycle taxi driver (or, if he’s not available, GoJek) to take her to Perancak Beach, Berawa Beach — popular amongst tourists and surfers — and Nelayan Beach. The policy includes shuttering of all businesses and services except those deemed essential, and also banning appbased motorcycle taxis from picking up passengers, meaning they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver Angie affectionately called the street dogs “furry gyp-food to customers. sies.” To her, feeding them is the most spiritual thing she does on the Island of Gods. The official implementation requires regional governments to submit relevant data and reports regarding COVID-19 On March 22, at around 6:30am, Angie received a picspread in their area to the Health Ministry, among other ture of one of the dogs, called Old Putih (“Old White”), things, which will assess them and decide on whether or not lying lifeless on the Perancak Beach. to grant approval. The process has been criticized for being She immediately contacted her feeding partner Nataoverly bureaucratic. sha, 44, who later rushed to the beach and helped her bury the poor dog. Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, which has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, is set to become the Exactly a week later, more dogs had been found dead country’s first region to officially enforce PSBB. As of this afternoon, the city reports 1,395 confirmed cases of the – including several who had owners. Several beach coronavirus, including 133 deaths and 69 recoveries. dogs roaming around Berawa were found dead by poisoning in between March 22 and March 29, 2022. (coBali, for its part, has so far reported 43 confirmed COVID-19 conut.co 01/04) cases, including 19 recoveries and two deaths of foreign nationals. (coconuts.com 07/04/2020)

JAKARTA - Indonesia will temporarily ban all visits and transits by foreign nationals to the country to curb the further spread of the coronavirus. “President (Joko) sees that our current policy needs to be made stricter. We have decided that all visits and transits by foreign nationals to Indonesia will temporarily be banned,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after a virtual ministers’ meeting with President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (March 31). Exceptions to the ban include those with work permits as well as diplomats, Ms Retno added, stressing that proper health protocols will still apply. President Joko said before the ministers’ meeting that Indonesia is stepping up measures to limit mobility among its citizens within the country, but threats of coronavirus spread also come from overseas. Mr Joko pointed out specifically that the epicentres of the pandemic have shifted to the United States and Europe. In Indonesia, Jakarta is the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus crisis, accounting for nearly half of the 1,414 confirmed cases. There are 122 deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in Indonesia so far, the highest in South-east Asia. Stay in the know with e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations have put in place limits on the flow of travellers with varying (degree of) strictness depending on the respective situation and condition in each country,” Ms Retno said. Their policies have also impacted Indonesians living overseas, many of whom have recently returned home or are preparing to head home. According to Ms Retno, the two largest groups of homebound Vaccine Booster Required For Travelers In Bali During the Eid Al-Fitr Holiday Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. An official from the Bali Health Agency has confirmed “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger than that a Covid-19 vaccine booster is a requirement for trav-normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms of size, the number of Indoneelers during the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday season. sians living and working in Malaysia exceeds 1 million. And there are The Head of Bali Health Agency, Nyoman Gede Anom, confirmed that the enthusiasm of Bali residents to receive the Covid-19 vaccine booster has significantly increased since the government decided to make the vaccine booster certificate a travel requirement for the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holidays in May 2022. “This new travel requirement helped increase the vaccine booster distribution on the island,” Anom said. In anticipation of the massive demand for vaccine boosters, officials decided to extend the operating hours of vaccination sites. “We decided to extend the operating hours of vaccination sites until late in the evening. Some of our medical

11,838 Indonesian crews working for 80 cruise ships, as per data gathered so far,” Ms Retno added. She said the government is implementing proper health protocols at airports, seaports, border check points on these returning countrymen. Mr Joko on Monday said Indonesia needs stronger measures to limit mobility after receiving reports that thousands of workers in Jakarta and its surrounding areas have returned to their home towns after losing most or all of their income amid the coronavirus outbreak. There have been concerns of a spread of infections as people from Jakarta, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, return home. The government is preparing regulations that would make it possible for Jakarta and other coronavirus red zones to be put under an “area quarantine”, a term observers see as equivalent to a lockdown, which would stop flows of people going in and out. (straitstimes.com 01/04/2020)

Bali plans to hold Nyepi-like observance to curb COVID-19 spread

Bali province’s Majelis Desa Adat, or traditional village council, says there are plans to hold a Nyepi-like observance later this month as part of an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 on the island, with the final decision set to be announced tomorrow. The council’s chief, Ida Panglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, told Tribun yesterday that nothing has been decided for the time being, as authorities would need to hold a meeting first. “We will decide on April 8. If it’s going to happen we will issue an official circular from the traditional village council,” Agung Putra was quoted as saying. The observance, locally referred to as sipeng, will only mandate that people stay at home for three consecutive days and will not follow the exact same rules as the Balinese Day of Silence, according to reports. Ordinarily, Nyepi encourages self-reflection by prohibiting activities such as lighting a fire, working, and traveling or going out, among others. The planned sipeng, however, would only prohibit people from leaving their homes. While official details have not been announced, news of sipeng quickly made its rounds on social media, showcasing divided opinions among local residents. Prompted by concerns over COVID-19, som e are supportive of the initiative, while others question how people are expected to meet their daily needs should the observance take place. “I agree, but it’s

JAKARTA - Indonesia will temporarily ban all visits and transits by foreign nationals to the country to curb the further spread of the coronavirus. “President (Joko) sees that our current policy needs to be made stricter. We have decided that all visits and transits by foreign nationals to Indonesia will temporarily be banned,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after a virtual ministers’ meeting with President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (March 31). Exceptions to the ban include those with work permits as well as diplomats, Ms Retno added, stressing that proper health protocols will still apply. President Joko said before the ministers’ meeting that Indonesia is stepping up measures to limit mobility among its citizens within the country, but threats of coronavirus spread also come from overseas. Mr Joko pointed out specifically that the epicentres of the pandemic have shifted to the United States and Europe. In Indonesia, Jakarta is the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus crisis, accounting for nearly half of the 1,414 confirmed cases. There are 122 deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in Indonesia so far, the highest in South-east Asia. Stay in the know with e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations have put in place limits on the flow of travellers with varying (degree of) strictness depending on the respective situation and condition in each country,” Ms Retno said. Their policies have also impacted Indonesians living overseas, many of whom have recently returned home or are preparing to head home. According to Ms Retno, the two largest groups of homebound Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger than normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms of size, the number of Indonesians living and working in Malaysia exceeds 1 million. And there are 11,838 Indonesian crews working for 80 cruise ships, as per data gathered so far,” Ms Retno added. She said the government is implementing proper health protocols at airports, seaports, border check points on these returning countrymen. Mr Joko on Monday said Indonesia needs stronger measures to limit mobility after receiving reports that thousands of workers in Jakarta and its surrounding areas have returned to their home towns after losing most or all of their income amid the coronavirus outbreak. There have been concerns of a spread of infections as people important to inform the general public way ahead of the actual dates. So it doesn’t seem so abrupt.” “So will there be provision of food from the government?” “Those who have plenty of money from monthly salary have it good as they can simply stock up, but what can we do when we depend on daily income. If it were to happen for four days please think it further wisely.” As of yesterday afternoon, Bali confirmed eight additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the island’s total to 43. This includes 19 recoveries and two deaths of foreign nationals. (Coconuts.com 07/04/2020)

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno is scheduled to visit Australia from July 6 to July 12 in a bid to boost Bali tourism by encouraging Australians to travel to the Island of Gods. “We are preparing a visit to Australia. This will be my first official visit since I started my term in the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy,” Sandiaga said yesterday. Australians are typically among Bali’s top travelers – bolstered by cheap flights and keenly priced tourism attractions, from night clubs to beaches. Since Bali started gradually reopening its international airport for international flights, Australians have begun flocking to Bali to satisfy their pent-up wanderlust. from Jakarta, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, return “We see that Australia is still a potential market to inhome. The government is preparing regulations that would make it possible for Jakarta and other coronavirus red zones crease tourist arrivals [with] Bali as the main destina- to be put under an “area quarantine”, a term observers see as tion. But naturally there are other destinations that we equivalent to a lockdown, which would stop flows of people have prepared,” the minister added. going in and out. This year, Indonesia aims to see between 1.8 to 3.6 Coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister Luhut million tourist arrivals. According to the Ministry, Pandjaitan said in a video message on Tuesday that the government would take the decision within this week, stressing however Indonesia would use the term lockdown. Indonesia would also issue a presidential emergency decree that would allow the government to have an annual budget deficit of larger than 3 per cent – currently not allowed by the existing laws – so that it could spend more to deploy cash, especially to the poorest population in the country. This exemption would apply for three years, before a normal threshold of 3 per cent would be reinstalled for 2023 annual budget year. “(Finance Minister) Sri Mulyani is currently making her calculation. What if we give the bottom 40 per cent or 20 per cent direct cash handouts. It is being thoroughly calculated,” Mr Luhut said. President Joko said on Monday that over the past eight days alone, 876 buses had transported about 14,000 people in Greater Jakarta back to their home towns, mostly in West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java provinces. Others had taken the trains and ships home, he added. These are mostly daily-rated workers such as push-cart food sellers, in what is termed the informal sector of the economy. (straitstimes.com 01/04/2020)

15,000 travelers have arrived in Bali in 2022 as of last week with visas on arrival (VOA). Most of them came from Australia, Singapore, the US, France, and the UK. There are currently only 42 nationalities eligible for VOA entry. A publication has claimed that tourist arrivals from down under, in particular, have been helping revive Bali’s economy. (coconut.co 06/04) staff are even distributing vaccines to their residences,” Anom added. Since the Bali provincial government started the vaccine booster distribution in early January 2022, 52.4 percent of Bali residents have received their booster shots as of April. (thebalisun.com 06/04)

Maybank Marathon returns to Gianyar this August

Marathon runners, are you game to get ready, steady, and go? Maybank Bali Marathon is returning to Gianyar in August – marking the event’s return for the first time since Local authorities in Bali are reporting hundreds of workers having the pandemic began. lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak and its subsequent impacts on the tourism industry, while thousands more have been First introduced in Bali back in 2012, Maybank Marathon instructed to stay at home without pay. was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and was held virtually last year. In Denpasar, as many as 2,975 workers were told to stay at home without pay while another 53 workers were laid off, the city’s spokesman Gede Rai told Kompas, adding that the workers were from 37 different companies. “It’s because there is a lack of guests and hotels are not operating,” Gede Rai said. For the time being, authorities in Denpasar are reportedly planning a social protection strategy for these workers, including through Indonesian government’s pre-employment cards, which was launched last month. The cards, which aim to aid job seekers and unemployed workers, grant them access and funding to various trainings. The numbers are even higher in Badung regency, where some of the island’s most popular hotels and restaurants are located. An official from the regency’s Industry and Manpower Agency told Tribun yesterday that 198 workers have been laid off as of April 4, most of whom were employed in the tourism sector.

Bali’s The Nusa Dua improves safety measures amid pandemic

State-owned enterprise Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is implementing safety measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 at tourist destination The Nusa Dua in Bali. I Gusti Ngurah Ardita, managing director of The Nusa Dua, told Antara news agency that a letter had been sent to tenants, urging them to provide hand sanitizers and regularly spray disinfectant in public areas, including toilets, pray rooms, ATM booths and shuttle buses. “This is in accordance with a circular letter from Bali’s provincial administration on improving hygiene and sanitation to combat the virus,” he said. Tenants at The Nusa Dua are also required to check the temperature of all staff and visitors and to Thousands of workers in Bali on unpaid leave, hundreds more laid off routinely clean their sites. A crisis center has been set up for guests, with services that include delivery to the nearest hospital and routine check-ups with health agencies. “Everywhere [in Indonesia] is pretty much facing the same condition. We don’t know when this will end,” Ida Bagus Oka Dirga, who Ardita added that The Nusa Dua’s employees have been heads the agency, said. working from home from March 16, except for security and He added that in Badung, more than 6,000 workers from 78 comcleaning staff, who have been equipped with protective gear panies have been instructed to stay at home and given between 50 and follow physical distancing measures while on duty. As of to 70 percent of their minimum salary. March 26, the occupancy rate at The Nusa Dua had dropped “Right now, with the hotels empty, of course workers will burden the operational cost. That’s why they have instructed them to stay home. However, we do hope they won’t be laying off [these workers],” I Made Badra, who heads the Tourism Agency in Badung, told Tribun.

Bali hotels roll out cheap promos or shut to survive coronavirus outbreak

The Bali Hotel Association (BHA), whose members include general managers of over 100 four-star and five-star hotels and resorts in Bali, said that most accommodations and restaurants in Bali have opted to temporarily close for at least one month. “At this time, almost all hotels and restaurants in Bali are closed temporarily for one to two months, as we monitor the most up to date situation,” BHA chairman I Made Ricky Darmika Putra told state news agency Antara yesterday. Ricky also responded to circulating information that many hotels in Bali are up for sale, clarifying that those reports are false. In addition, he explained how hotels that are still open have less than 10 percent occupancy rates, while most restaurants have cut their operational hours short. Meanwhile, some other hotels are still seeking to attract potential customers, and are rolling out cheap promotions on long-term stays. One example is Lv8, a hotel located in Canggu, which offers a one-month stay fee starting from IDR8million (US$481). For perspective, the hotel’s normal daily rate ranges from IDR800K-1 million. (coconuts.com 07/04/2020)

30.45 percent since February. “We hope the pandemic will end soon and tourism in Bali can improve,” said Ardita. On Tuesday, Bali declared a state of emergency by imposing stricter measures on visitors in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 as cases continue to climb with local transmission detected. With the status, the resort island will tighten checks at entrance gates and enforce a 14-day self-quarantine for all people entering the island. (thejakartapost.com 01/04/2020)

Denpasar mayor urges city residents to stay at home amid coronavirus outbreak

The Mayor of Denpasar yesterday urged the city’s residents to refrain from returning to their hometowns and stay at home instead, as part of an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Bali. “I am asking all residents living in Denpasar for the time being do not go anywhere, including to go to your hometown, stay at your respective homes [instead] to break the chain on COVID-19 spread,” , as quoted by state news agency Antara. Many of those who live in Denpasar hail from different parts of the island and even the country. With the social and physical distancing advisory in place and the option to return to their family homes might make sense financially, officials fear it might contribute to further spread of COVID-19. According to Denpasar government’s, there are currently 96 people under monitoring in the city, along with two patients under observation and two more who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Across Bali, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases stand at 10 as of yesterday afternoon, including two deaths of foreign nationals, while a total of 141 patients have been placed under observation, as per data from the provincial government. Scheduled on Aug. 28, Maybank Marathon will start at Bali Safari & Marine Park in Gianyar and will consist of three race categories: full marathon (42.195 kilometers), halfmarathon (21.1 kilometers), and the 10K. “The event […] is expected to reignite the passions among running enthusiasts who have been longing for the challenges of running in nature, especially in Bali,” said Maybank Indonesia CEO Taswin Zakaria. He added, “[The event] is also expected to become one of the efforts to reactivate outdoor sports competitions in Indonesia.” Taswin also said that Bali has the infrastructure to host runners from all over the world and the event could boost tourism in the pandemic-ridden island. Maybank Bali Marathon has been recognized as an elite road race marathon by World Athletics (previously known as International Association of Athletics Federations). (coconut.co 01/04)

Governor Koster claims Bali is entering COVID-19 endemic phase

Bali Governor Wayan Koster said earlier today that the Island of Gods is witnessing a shift in phases from a pandemic to an endemic based on recent COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates. “Seeing curve patterns from 2020 and 2021 and currently 2022, I think from the development aspect between past patterns and existing curves, we are actually entering the endemic phase,” Koster said during a meeting at the Bali Regional Council today. Koster met with legislators to discuss the 2021 accountability report (LKPJ) and shared his thoughts on the current COVID-19 situation. The top official later conceded that, at the end of the day, the official statement on whether Bali has entered an endemic phase would have to refer to a “Our success in breaking the chain of coronavirus spread declaration from the World Health Organization (WHO). requires discipline and cooperation from everyone, not only the government, but also the public in heeding the instructions “But I think Bali is already in that phase. So [it’s] safe,” he and suggestions from officials,” Rai Mantra said. Last week, a added. nurse who tested positive for COVID-19 reportedly went home to Tabanan regency, prompting officials to trace her In his report, Koster said that the province recorded 40 new close contacts immediately.

COVID-19 cases yesterday, while 30 people recovered and, thankfully, no death was reported. The highest recent daily infections rate fell on Feb. 9 with 2,556 new cases that day, but numbers have continued to decline since. Koster added that Bali has administered booster shots to 50.3 percent of its population – the highest in Indonesia, he noted – while the first dosage coverage is at 104 percent and 95 percent for the second dosage. (coconut.co 01/04)