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As more and more international tourists arrive in Bali ever Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, since the island reopened to all nationalities in early Februsome with chartered flights organized by their respective some with chartered flights organized by their respective ary, flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has officially resumed its Sydney-Bali route with the first flight in two years landing governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration 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 become available become available due to global travel due to global travel restrictions, their restrictions, their efforts include efforts include assisting those seeking to return home to find available assisting those seeking to return home to find available flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia and the United States topped the list of visitors. and the United States topped the list of visitors. Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were ordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus ordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus 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 immediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend immediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 are being given an automatic extension for their stay are being given an automatic extension for their stay permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020)

at Ngurah Rai International Airport today carrying 61 Australian citizens. The Indonesian Consul General for Sydney, Vedi Kurnia Buana, said that his office immediately worked together with Garuda following the announcement that Bali was reopening for international flights. After bidding farewell to the Garuda passengers earlier today, Vedi said that all who boarded the flight, Indonesians and Australians alike, were delighted that Bali is finally open for direct flights. “The Indonesian government very much appreciates this because under current circumstances they still want to have a vacation in Bali. That means, even though there’s still a 3-day quarantine requirement, they still go [to the island],” he said. Vedi was referring to a 3-day quarantine requirement for international visitors upon arriving in Bali. Recently, the Indonesian government announced that quarantine requirements in Bali would likely be erased in mid-March (or sooner) as they plan to lift quarantine requirements for Indonesia as a whole on April 1. Last weekend, Bali Governor Wayan Koster said that his office would support the resumption of Sydney-Bali flights as a way to lift tourism businesses on the island that have been devastated by the pandemic..... read more on www. baliadvertiser.biz

No Large-Scale Social Restrictions policy for Bali just Hundreds of Indonesian crew members flying SOEs to build solar plant along Bali Mandara Toll Road yet, provincial government says in from Italy skip quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19

PT Bukit Asam and PT Jasa Marga will build a solar power plant along the Bali Mandara Toll Road to support Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022 and the efforts to reduce global carbon emissions. 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 Business Director of Jasa Marga, Reza Febriano, stated in Genoa, after that the Bali Mandara Toll Road, as one of the infrawhich they were structures that will support the 2022 G20 Presidency, declared healthy has grown increasingly environment-friendly with the and permitted to construction of the solar power plant to source the enreturn to Indonesia. Italy is one of the countries hardest hit by ergy for operational needs of this toll road. 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)

Speaking to Kumparan yesterday, regional secretary of 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 disease, though this includes additional measures and “Reducing global carbon emissions, which was one of stricter enforcement. the focuses of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, is our concern and commitment,” Febriano noted in a written The policy includes shuttering of all businesses and services statement received here on Saturday. except those deemed essential, and also banning appbased motorcycle taxis from picking up passengers, meanHe deemed the initiative as aligning with the idea of ing they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver sustainable energy transition, which is one of the three food to customers. focuses of the G20 agenda. This view motivated the cooperation with Bukit Asam to develop the solar powThe official implementation requires regional governments er plant. This project contributed to the realization of to submit relevant data and reports regarding COVID-19 Jasa Marga Group’s sustainable toll road efforts. spread in their area to the Health Ministry, among other things, which will assess them and decide on whether or not to grant approval. The process has been criticized for being Director of Business Development at Bukit Asam, Rafli overly bureaucratic. Yandra, also views the power plant as a form of collaborative effort to offer clean and sustainable energy. Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, which has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, is set to become the The project kicked off with the groundbreaking of the country’s first region to officially enforce PSBB. As of this solar power plant at the Ngurah Rai Toll Gate (GT) on afternoon, the city reports 1,395 confirmed cases of the the Bali Mandara Toll Road. The event was also a fol coronavirus, including 133 deaths and 69 recoveries. low-up to the memorandum of understanding signed by the two State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on FebruBali, for its part, has so far reported 43 confirmed COVID-19 ary 2, 2022.... read more on www.baliadvertiser.biz 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 Bali Visa On Arrival Will Still Cost $35 USD Per Travelers Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. An official from the Immigration Office has announced that the “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger than government did not change the requirements of the visa on ar-normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms of size, the number of Indonerival program for international travelers. sians living and working in Malaysia exceeds 1 million. And there are The Public Relations Sub-coordinator of the Immigration Office, Achmad Nur Saleh, confirmed that the central government decided to leave the requirements for the visa on arrival program unchanged. The requirements prior to the Covid-19 pandemic are the exact requirements currently implemented for visitors from 23 select countries. “Following the Government’s Regulation Number 28 Year 2019, the VoA tariff for international travelers is still USD $35 (IDR 500,000),” Achmad said on Sunday (6/3). He emphasized that this resumed VoA program is only for visitors who enter through the immigration checkpoint at Bali Ngurah Rai Airport. Despite this, visitors can travel to the other parts of Indonesia afterwards and leave the country from any region.

Balinese migrant workers arrive home from war-torn Ukraine

Twenty-six Balinese migrant workers who were evacuated from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country safely landed at the Ngurah Rai International Airport yesterday. They flew to Bali from Jakarta on AirAsia Flight QZ-7518 after undergoing quarantine upon arrival at the capital city’s airport on March 3. Before departing to Bali, they were greeted by the Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Protection Agency Head, Benny Rhamdani, at the bureau’s office in Jakarta.

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) Local authorities in Bali are reporting hundreds of workers having lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak and its subsequent impacts on the tourism industry, while thousands more have been instructed to stay at home without pay. 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 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

Thousands of workers in Bali on unpaid leave, hundreds more laid off

“Everywhere [in Indonesia] is pretty much facing the same condition. We don’t know when this will end,” Ida Bagus Oka Dirga, who heads the agency, said. He added that in Badung, more than 6,000 workers from 78 companies have been instructed to stay at home and given between 50 to 70 percent of their minimum salary. “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)

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)

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. Coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister Luhut 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)

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 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. Ardita added that The Nusa Dua’s employees have been working from home from March 16, except for security and cleaning staff, who have been equipped with protective gear and follow physical distancing measures while on duty. As of March 26, the occupancy rate at The Nusa Dua had dropped 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.

The relaxation of PCR and antigen testing requirements for domestic travelers will be implemented gradually, starting from Bali, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force has said. “This relaxation is being done gradually, starting from Bali with visa on arrival, quarantine free, and vaccination target,” the task force’s emergency health support sub-department head, Alexander K. Gintang, informed here on Monday evening. This policy is still in the formulation process, which is being conducted together with a number of related authorities and experts, he informed. Currently, it is entering the finalization stage, he said. Under the policy, domestic travelers will be asked to remain cautious by monitoring the PeduliLindungi application, receiving complete and booster vaccination, remaining alert for symptoms, and complying with the health protocols, he said. “It has started to be accelerated in Bali this week. It will then continue to agglomeration regions with basic vaccination coverage, elderly vaccination above 80 percent, and booster over 30 percent,” Ginting added. “Our success in breaking the chain of coronavirus spread requires discipline and cooperation from everyone, not only the government, but also the public in heeding the instructions and suggestions from officials,” Rai Mantra said. Last week, a nurse who tested positive for COVID-19 reportedly went home to Tabanan regency, prompting officials to trace her close contacts immediately.

Earlier, at a virtual press conference, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that domestic travelers arriving via land, sea, and air, are no longer required to submit negative antigen or PCR test results. In addition, government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Reisa Broto Asmoro, said that the government has prepared a road map to help Indonesia carry out the gradual transition to the endemic phase. (antaranews. com 08/03) Here are the requirements for applying for a visa on arrival: • visitor must show passport that has at least 6 months of validity • round trip airline ticket or another ticket connecting to other countries • the stay permit granted by immigration is valid for only 30 days, and can be extended for 1 time max. (thebalisun.com 07/03) All of the migrant workers are women who were understandably traumatized by the ongoing war. Ni Ketut Muliasih, originally from Bangli, said that she worked as a spa therapist in a city in Ukraine for seven months before her office was bombed by the Russians. Like many other migrant workers, Muliasih was the breadwinner of the family by working abroad. Being forced to leave the country would mean less income for the family. Muliasih’s husband, Wayan Amin, said they are bracing for possible financial setbacks but added that he was more delighted with the fact that his wife returned home to him and their kids. “For me, my wife being home and seeing the kids is my hope from the start,” he said, adding that he prayed every day since the news about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine broke out. Ni Wayan Sukerayani, originally from Payangan District in Gianyar, northern Bali, and worked in Kyiv, said that she was forced to hide under a bunker with others (mostly Indonesian nationals in the city) on Feb. 24.... read more on www. baliadvertiser.biz

Russian travelers in limbo in Bali amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The invasion of Russia toward Ukraine has reportedly left Russian nationals in Bali in limbo due to the economic challenges as a result of the war. According to a dance studio owner, who asked to be quoted anonymously, many of her Russian clients are facing financial difficulties because of the SWIFT sanction and other restrictions. “SWIFT code banned, [they also] cannot accept [money] on PayPal, and their Russian banks are blocked,” she said, adding, “Digital nomads from Russia cannot accept payments. Applying for ATM cards to Indonesian banks is also out of the question because they have tourist visas.” The dance studio offers pole dancing classes, which, according to the owner, are particularly popular amongst foreigners, including Russians and Ukrainians. One of her clients, she said, could not receive money in Bali after selling their car and apartment in Moscow due to the restrictions. “Today [there are] 12 students from Russia and Ukraine who have expressed that they cannot join [classes] anymore because they have to save money for themselves and families,” she said, adding that some students did not find pole dancing particularly enjoyable anymore due to the war.... read more on www.baliadvertiser.biz