Local News

Bali Immigration denies over fve-hour lineup at Ngurah Rai Airport Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid coronavirus outbreak Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid coronavirus outbreak

The Bali Immigration denied that a lineup of nearly fve hours Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, occurred at the immigration check area of Ngurah Rai International Airport. some with chartered fights organized by their respective governments, following fight cancelations across the globe some with chartered fights organized by their respective governments, following fight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration offce said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, offce 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 fight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, German Airlines fight 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 fights As fewer fights 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 fnd available assisting those seeking to return home to fnd available fights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the fights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the regional offce for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, regional offce 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 offcials also cited evidence of Indonesia’s outbreak, wherein offcials 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 offces across Bali last week. Indonesia’s immigration offces 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)

Head of the Immigration Offce at the Ngurah Rai Checkpoint, Bali, Sugito, tendered the clarifcation on Monday in response to the blog article “Bali Airport Has Become A Nightmare With Up To Five Hours Immigration Lineups!” by Sebastian Powell, published on Saturday, July 29. “He (Sebastian Powell) arrived on Friday, July 29, 2022, from Bangkok, Thailand, and landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport at 2:43 p.m. local time. He then (underwent) the health document (check procedure) and went to the BRI counter to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA),” Sugito expounded. From data of the immigration crossing application, Sugito revealed that Powell underwent an immigration examination at 3:47 p.m. local time, so the total time taken, starting from disembarking the plane, health inspection, and VOA payment, to completing the immigration check took around 54 minutes. “Along with the expansion of immigration policies in line with the increase in the number of countries subject to Visa on Arrival (VOA) and the granting of (visa exemption facility) for countries in the Southeast Asian region, the number of fights and the volume of passenger arrivals to Bali have increased,” Sugito stated. Thus, the increase in the number of fights has made international fight schedules quite hectic. “This certainly has the potential to cause overcrowding in the arrival area during peak hours,” he stated. However, Sugito emphasized that despite the likelihood of overcrowding in the Ngurah Rai Airport arrival area, the immigration checks can continue to run smoothly. “We have taken anticipatory steps to handle the potential of overcrowding of passengers during peak hours by increasing the number of offcers. With 25 counters in the arrival area, we can complete the inspection of 1,500 passengers per hour,” he remarked.

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

Police give alleged Kuta street thieves exhibition of shame at Bali Bombing Memorial 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 fown in from Genoa, Italy on Monday night. Offcials 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 offcers 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 fight 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 confrmed 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 fnd 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)

In a bid to discourage theft on the streets of Kuta, police in Speaking to KumpBali yesterday decided to exhibit fve alleged thieves who aran yesterday, rewere recently apprehended for stealing valuables, mostly gional secretary of phones, from foreigners. The fve suspects who were exhib-the Bali adminisited by the Denpasar Police at the Bali Bombing Memorial on tration, Dewa Legian Street yesterday were identifed by their initials IGE Made Indra, said (32), IKR (30), IWJ (25), IKB (25), and IWG (26). All are that the provincial residents of Karangasem and were accused of theft in Kuta. government is open to implementing PSBB, should risks of the novel coronavirus on the island continue to escalate and IGE and IKR reportedly snatched a cell phone belonging to an require a stricter approach. Australian national who was walking back to his villa on Aug. 3, while IWJ and IKB stole a phone belonging to another Australian traveler on July 27. A solo thief, IWG snatched a phone from an Indian tourist who was walking on a street in Kuta. Under Indonesian law, each suspect may face up to seven “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. years behind bars for theft. Denpasar Police Chief Bambang PSBB is designed to limit mobility within a region,essentially Yugo Pamungkas told reporters that law enforcers decided to imposing the same social distancing measures that have hold a press conference at the site, as well as “showcasing” already been seen in parts of Indonesia affected by the viral the criminals there, as a strong warning against theft in the disease, though this includes additional measures and area.stricter enforcement. “We want to show people that whatever happened in Kuta The policy includes shuttering of all businesses and services and the surrounding areas in relation to theft cases with tourexcept those deemed essential, and also banning appists as victims, we agreed that we will conduct a frm and based motorcycle taxis from picking up passengers, meanmeasured action,” he said. ing they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver food to customers. It should be noted that, in Indonesian police lingo, “frm and measured action” refers to shooting criminals on the spot. The offcial implementation requires regional governments Furthermore, police displaying criminals in press conferences to submit relevant data and reports regarding COVID-19 is the norm in Indonesia, but suspects are usually afforded the opportunity to obscure their faces in order to protect their identity. Not only were the fve suspects in this press conference unmasked, this was also a rare occurrence in which the 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 overly bureaucratic. press conference took place outside of a police station. Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, which has the highest number The press conference took place just a day after a clip showof confrmed COVID-19 cases, is set to become the country’s frst region to offcially enforce PSBB. As of this ing locals “sweeping” the streets in the area for any sus indiafternoon, the city reports 1,395 confrmed cases of the viduals went viral over the weekend. coronavirus, including 133 deaths and 69 recoveries. The video was a follow up from another video showing a male foreigner almost having his phone swiped while hanging out with his friends on Kuta’s Poppies Street went viral last Friday.

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 specifcally 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 confrmed 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 fow 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 infow traffc 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

Bali Airport Implements Screening Measures For Monkeypox

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 fows 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 fnal 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 frst. “We will decide on April 8. If it’s going to happen we will issue an offcial 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-refection by prohibiting activities such as lighting a fre, working, and traveling or going out, among others. The planned sipeng, however, would only prohibit people from leaving their homes. While offcial 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 specifcally 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 confrmed 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 fow 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 infow traffc 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 confrmed 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)

Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno has condemned the comments of an Australian senator who suggested that Bali’s streets are full of cow dung. Pauline Hanson, a controversial political fgure in Australia, addressed parliament about Indonesia’s current outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Her speech, peppered with her usual expletives, suggested that Bali’s streets are flled with cow dung that people are walking through constantly. While foot and mouth disease can be transmitted through mud and dung infected with the virus, Bali’s streets are far from covered in cow dung. Agricultural authorities in Bali, along with farmers and rural communities are working hard to curb the outbreak. Australia has implemented new screening measures to prevent the virus from reaching Australian pastures and has launched an AUD 14 million support package. While Indonesia’s practices for keeping livestock differ in many ways from Australia’s and there has been concern that the local response to the outbreak is a little slower than ideal, Hanson’s comments have been received as not only misguided but as baseless and offensive. 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 fows of people In her speech, Hanson said ‘ Bali is not like other countries… going in and out. cattle sh*t on the ground, people walk in that sh*t, that sh*t is then bought back on their clothing and on their person and back into this country’. She posted a snippet of her speech on her Instagram page and the post has been commented on by over 35,000 people, many of whom are condemning her accusations. Many simply laugh at her misidentifying Bali as a 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. country, since is an island of Indonesia. Indonesia would also issue a presidential emergency decree One such commenter was Marvin Sulistio, a news anchor for that would allow the government to have an annual budget Metro TV who wrote ‘Pardon me Madame senator, think it’s not appropriate to mention nor judge Bali based on whatever sources you recalled before. We welcome you to Indonesiaespecially the city of Bali, to experience the true value of my defcit 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 hometown. In addition to calm the fasco-Bali is not a coun- exemption would apply for three years, before a normal try, Indonesia is and we love our country and its cities. Each threshold of 3 per cent would be reinstalled for 2023 annual and every single of them’. budget year. The Indonesian Minister for Tourism Sandiaga Uno has pub- “(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)

licly condemned Hanson’s comments and denied any accuracy to her statements. He reposted a comedy skit made by Australian-Indonesian digital creator Damian Hoo. Uno wrote ‘What an Australian senator @senatorpaulinehanson said is not based on facts. I frmly and straightforwardly tell you to never insult Bali, the icon and the heart of Indonesia’s tourism. I’d like to thank Mr. Damian Hoo (@hoointheworld) an Australian citizen who directly broke the Senator’s statement. Bali has now risen and the work feld has been created again. Do not disturb the calm, let alone our economic recovery with untrue speech.’ Minister Uno went on to write in a more informal tone ‘Hey, FYI Bali is not a country..must not have been an IPS [social science] kid. Next time check frst Mr Google. Thank you suksma’. While is video is targeted to discredit Hanson’s statements, it is not advisable to intentionally stand in cow dung in Bali at this time. Travelers are being reminded to disinfect their shoes before traveling home to Australia and if they are unable to clean their shoes throughly it is being advised that travelers leave their shoes behind. These simple precautions help support the efforts already being undertaken by Bali’s agricultural sector to halt the spread of the virus in cattle. Denpasar Class I KKP and all airlines to anticipate the spread of the monkeypox virus. He told local reporters ‘Currently, there are several health issues that have become the world’s concern, such as [foot and mouth disease] and Monkeypox. We certainly continue to coordinate intensively with relevant stakeholders such as the Port Health Offce (KKP), the Agricultural Quarantine Center, and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)’. Heryudhitiawan explained the new screening measures in place. He said his teams are ‘supporting facilities to prevent the transmission of these diseases such as placing thermo scanners at the door of arrivals and departures, as well as laying disinfectant carpets at every entry and exit of the passenger area’. The new screening measures cause minimal disruption to passengers’ experience at Bali Airport. Heryudhitiawan confrmed that these measures are precautionary and that there have been no special policies or warnings put in place regarding Monkeypox. He closed his statement by saying ‘However, we continue to strive to ensure services so that passengers can fy healthily and safely’. According to the World Health Organisation Monkeypox can be transmitted from human to human as a result of close contact with respiratory secretions (breath and saliva) as well as close contact with the infected skin lesions and blisters caused by the virus. The installation of disinfection mats at Bali Airport is a simple but effective way to reduce the risk of foot and mouth disease spreading across borders. Foot and Mouth disease is a virus that affects animals with cloven feet, like cows, pigs, goats, and sheep. Offcials in Australia are concerned that the virus could cause AUD 80 billion in damages to the agricultural sector if found on Australian shores.

Bali Airport has implemented screening measures to help halt the transmission of Monkey Pox. The virus has not been detected in Bali, but as cases slowly increase worldwide, authorities are keen to be proactive in halting any potential spread. The Head of the Bali Provincial Health Offce, Dr. I Nyoman Gede Anom, confrmed to local reporters that his teams have coordinated with I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and the Denpasar Class I Port Health Offce on the 6th August 2022. The meeting led to a shared understanding as to the importance of increased screening measures which has led to the installation of screening tools to detect any potential monkeypox cases arriving in Bali. The General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, also confrmed that his teams have coordinated with the 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 offcial 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 fve-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 fnancially, offcials 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.

Komodo National Park price hike postponed until 2023: Offcial | Coconuts

In a move that some might say not is not really surprising (remember the Borobudur temple saga?), the proposed price hike for Komodo National Park will be postponed until next year amid brouhaha surrounding the police. East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial government’s Tourism Agency Chief Zeth Sony Libing told reporters yesterday that the proposed entry fee of IDR3.75 million (US$250) – which would be for an annual pass – originally scheduled to come into effect on Aug. 1 has been postponed until Jan. 1 next year. “Our success in breaking the chain of coronavirus spread requires discipline and cooperation from everyone, not only the “The NTT provincial government is giving a dispensation of fve government, but also the public in heeding the instructions months, [in other words] the old prices to enter Komodo Island and and suggestions from offcials,” Rai Mantra said. Last week, a Padar Island are still in effect,” he said. nurse who tested positive for COVID-19 reportedly went Komodo Island and Padar Island are the two biggest islands of Kohome to Tabanan regency, prompting offcials to trace her close contacts immediately.

modo National Park. Another site famous for its dragons in the park is Rinca Island. The park also includes 26 smaller islands. For the time being, Sony said, domestic travelers can still pay IDR75,000 (about US$5) per person to enter Komodo Island and Padar Island, while international travelers are required to pay double that amount. Sony explained that President Joko Widodo himself suggested the postponement, while the agency also took in advice from various fgures in NTT’s West Manggarai Regency. Separately, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said in his weekly press briefng yesterday that the government will keep on working on a solution to simultaneously ensure that economic recovery and conservation of the dragons could go hand in hand. As previously reported, amid ongoing protests from local guides and tourism associations following an entry fee hike for the two main islands of Komodo National Park, the House of Representatives (DPR) asked the central government to reconsider the plan. Last week, Dede Yusuf, the deputy chair of DPR’s Commission X overseeing tourism affairs, said parliament was never consulted about the new price policy, which covers the islands of Komodo and Padar. An op-ed featured on The Conversation strongly criticized Komodo National Park’s management, highlighting the park’s business-oriented tourism, minimum conservation measures, and neglect of locals who depend on community-based tourism, after their previous main sources of income, agriculture, was set aside in favor of the growing tourism industry.