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- Festival Badminton in Bali 16 Nov – 05 Dec Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid

coronavirus outbreak coronavirus outbreak

Bali’s first international event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian Badminton Festival 2021, will take place on the Island between 16 November – 05 Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, some with chartered flights organized by their respective Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, some with chartered flights organized by their respective December 2021. governments, following flight cancelations across the globe governments, following flight cancelations across the globe Champion players from 24 countries will travel to Bali to participate in the tournaments amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French that will be held nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same following strict health protocols to prevent the day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried over 200 passengers back to Austria. day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried over 200 passengers back to Austria. spread of COVID-19. Foreign missions in Indonesia have Foreign missions in Indonesia have The three back-to-back badminton tournaments:actively used social actively used social - Daihatsu Indonesia Master: 16-21 November 2021 - Indonesia Open: 23-28 November 2021 - BWF World Tour Final: 1-5 December 2021 media to assist their respective citizens. As fewer flights media to assist their respective citizens. As fewer flights Unlike championships conducted globally before the panbecome available become available demic, the Bali sporting events will not host awards ceremodue to global travel due to global travel nies at gala dinners. These gala dinners were often both restrictions, their restrictions, their awards ceremonies and fashion events in the past, with athletes attending in splendid costumes representing their respective countries. efforts include assisting those seeking to return home to find available flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the efforts include assisting those seeking to return home to find available flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the Unfortunately, the Bali tournaments have been scaled back regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, minus the celebratory dinner parties to limit creating potentold Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, tial clusters of new coronavirus infection. Similarly, spectator attendance in Bali at the actual matches will be restricted, with fans forced to follow the games virtually and online. (balidiscovery.com 15/11/2021) nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia and the United States topped the list of visitors. nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia 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)

Officials Plan To Improve Tourism In Western Bali

Officials from the Jembrana regional government have planned to build an all-in-one circuit to attract more tourism on the western side of Bali. An official of Pengambengan Village Jembrana, Kamaruzzaman confirmed that the regional government will begin construction of an all-in-one circuit in Pengambenan village by 2022, as one of the efforts to increase the economic activity in Jembrana. “Although the program was initiated by the regional government, I will ensure that Pengambengan village will provide a lot of support for this project,” Kamaruzzaman said. However, he also admitted that this project has an issue; most parts of the construction site are currently being occupied by local goat farmers, so village officials plan to approach all the goat farmers before finally relocating their herd to a more appropriate place as this area is owned by the regional government. “We will approach friendly and ask them to find another place for their animals to prevent any potential conflict with the villagers,” Kamaruzzaman added. The project was funded by the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister and it is expected to attract more international and domestic visitors to visit the western parts of the island. They plan on doing this by holding several weekly events such as horse races, traditional buffalo races, and traditional music festivals. Other than that, this facility will also provide an open green space for the local residents in the area. (thebalisun.com/ 15/11/2021)

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 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. Speaking to Kumparan yesterday, regional secretary of the Bali administration, Dewa Made Indra, said that the provincial “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. government is open to implementing PSBB, should risks of the novel coronavirus on the island continue to escalate and require a stricter approach. As reported by Kompas, the crew members had also Australians one step closer to Bali as gov’t updates travel advice “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. undergone a health examination while in Genoa, after which they were declared healthy Australians are now one step closer to visiting Bali, after the government down under eased its COVID-related travel advice today, ahead of their international reopening next week. 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 stricter enforcement. 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 In an updated travel advice framework, the Australian government has removed the “do not travel” advisory put in place since March 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 food to customers. 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. 2020. The updated framework also saw Indonesia lowered to a Level 2 of 4. Due to the ongoing risk posed by the coronavirus, no international destination will be set lower than Level 2, Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams, said on Twitter today. The official implementation requires regional governments to submit relevant data and reports regarding COVID-19 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. 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 Level 2 advice says that Australians should “exercise a high degree of caution” when traveling abroad. In Indonesia, the Australian government warns of limited availability of testing and infection control facilities, while noting that critical care for Australians who become seriously ill, inIndonesia’s capital Jakarta, which has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, is set to become the country’s first region to officially enforce PSBB. As of this afternoon, the city reports 1,395 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 133 deaths and 69 recoveries. 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 cluding in Bali, “is significantly below the standard available in Australia. Read more news at our website ... Bali, for its part, has so far reported 43 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 19 recoveries and two deaths of foreign nationals. (coconuts.com 07/04/2020) 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)

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 Bali completes 1st phase of COVID-19 vaccination target of whom have recently returned home or are preparing to head home. According to Ms Retno, the two largest groups of homebound Over 3.4 million people in Bali have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, official data shows, Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. which translates to the province completing the first “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger than phase of its vaccination target. normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms of size, the number of Indonesians living and working in Malaysia exceeds 1 million. And there are Bali is second only to Indonesia’s capital Jakarta when it comes to vaccination rates, and appears well on its way to fully vaccinate its target population soon. As of Nov. 7, nearly 3 million people have been fully vaccinated in Bali, according to data from the Health Ministry. The number amounts to about 87 percent of the province’s vaccination target. While the vaccination target has been reached for public servants and health workers, Bali still has some ways to go when it comes to elderly people and the general public, as rates for the two groups are still below 60 percent. Denpasar city and Badung regency have the highest number of people fully vaccinated, at nearly 700,000 and more than 451,000, respectively. These are cur-

Spectators must be fully vaxxed to watch the Superbike World Championship race in Lombok

With less than 10 days until the upcoming Superbike World Championship (WSBK) grand prix at Lombok’s Mandalika Circuit, event organizers have begun to raise awareness on the requirement that spectators must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to watch the race live. The 13th round of the WSBK is scheduled from Nov. 19 to 21, making it Mandalika International Street Circuit’s second event after Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (IATC), which

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.

Bali Governor, I Wayan Koster proposes the central government reduce quarantine time for international visitors in Bali. As part of the entry requirements for Bali international visitors, Bali provincial government admits that the current quarantine policy has caused reluctance for potential international visitors to start traveling to Bali. As a result, the Bali Governor plans to propose the central government reduce the quarantine time to only 1 day in order to help revive Bali’s economy from the crisis. “As long as our visitors are fully vaccinated and test negative upon their arrival, I don’t think that quarantine is still necessary. But I’ll propose to the central government to reduce the quarantine time to only 1 day.” Koster said when welcoming the new Indonesian Ambassador candidates for 15 different countries on Thursday (11/11). Koster also asked those candidates to help him promote Bali tourism during their job in those selected countries. “I kindly ask all the new ambassadors to help us promote “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.

our tourism as part of the effort to revive Bali’s tourism as well as the economy,” Koster added. Meanwhile, when Koster was asked about his latest statement regarding 20,000 international visitors that were expected to arrive in November 2021 as The Bali Sun previously reported, he explained that some visitors were scheduled to come to Bali with Garuda Airlines this month. (thebalisun.com/ 15/11/2021) rently the only regions in Bali that have reached their vaccination targets. The COVID-19 situation in Bali has gradually improved since the mid-year major surge triggered by the Delta variant, with officials reporting 11 new cases and one death yesterday. (thebalisun.com/ 15/11/2021) will take place from Nov. 12 to 14. In an Instagram post, the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) laid out some terms and conditions for live spectators, who must have received two jabs against COVID-19 and present a negative result from either a PCR or rapid antigen test. Those below 12 years old are prohibited from entering the circuit area, while the PeduliLindungi tracking app is mandatory for all attendees. Foreign nationals are also expected to show their vaccine certificate and PCR or rapid antigen test results, according to a procedure that organizers have sent via email. Daily tickets for WSBK went on sale this week, with prices for Day 1 of the race starting at IDR150K (US$10.52) before tax. For links to the Mandalika event’s official ticketing partners, click here. Last week, many local residents lamented the steep price range to watch the world-class racing event live, even when it’s happening on their own island. (thebalisun. com/ 15/11/2021)

Benoa Port to be Showcased to G20 Summit

The rebuilding of Bali’s southern Port of Benoa into a modern Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH) is now underway and scheduled for completion by mid-2023. Balipost.com reports that organizers of the G20 Summit in Bali in November 2022 are planning for the BMTH to be used as a side-venue for the international meeting headquartered in nearby Nusa Dua. The G20 Summit will attract 6,500 participants from 20 countries, including 38 heads of state and 60 ministers of state delegations. Ayodhia Kalake, the Deputy for the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, revealed plans to

shine a spotlight on the Benoa Cruise Port during the G20 Summit during a visit to Bali on Tuesday 02 November 2021. The massive renovation of the Port of Benoa to serve cruise ships and yachts has been declared by the President as a strategic development project to enhance the national tourism industry. Kalake said, “Welcome to BMTH” will be an official “sideevent” of the G20 Summit. Although the final upgrade of the Port of Benoa will only take place in mid-2023, planners claim the project will demonstrate to world leaders the potential of Bali as a cultural and tourism destination... more on our website.