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Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, forecast preparations for the G20 Summit scheduled in November 2022 in Bali to be completed in the third or fourth week of October 2022. some with chartered flights organized by their respective governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration some with chartered flights organized by their respective governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration During his visit with Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Uno affirmed that 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)

preparations had gone according to plan. “The airport, including venues to welcome delegates from various countries, had been prepared. The Ngurah Rai Airport’s VVIP terminal has been revitalized and will be used as a parking lot for high-ranking G20 state officials, and security for heads of state and guests from various countries will be coordinated with the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and National Police (Polri),” he stated in a weekly press briefing through an official statement received here, Tuesday. The G20 is a multilateral cooperation forum comprising 19 major countries and the European Union (EU). The G20 represents more than 60 percent of the world’s population, 75 percent of global trade, and 80 percent of the world’s GDP. In addition, infrastructure and logistics preparations have been readied at various places, especially transportation accommodation for delegates. Communication networks, roads, electricity networks, and General Electric Vehicle Charging Station (SPKLU) have also been readied. “We also reviewed the preparation of Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) and waste management in several Integrated Waste Management Sites to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (TPST 3R). In addition, we collaborate with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to assist in providing souvenirs for the delegates,” Uno remarked. His side has played an active role in overcoming climate change and managing the environment in a sustainable manner through concrete actions. These roles include holding a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) related to food loss and waste in the tourism industry and launching the Carbon Offset Calculator Program to calculate the carbon footprint generated from tourist travel activities. “We will also conduct a G20 side event, the Indonesia Wellness Tours Conference and Festival (IWTCF), which will be held on August 5-7, 2022, in Solo, Central Java,” Uno remarked. The ministry is currently preparing a draft of the G20 Bali Guidelines for Strengthening Communities and MSME as the Tourism Transformation Agents: a People-Centered Recovery that will be adopted at the Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM) on September 26, 2022.This was done with international partner organizations, specifically the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

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. Egyptian man, Dutch woman deported by Bali Immigration Office for long overstays 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. The Bali Immigration Office deported an Egyptian man and a Dutch woman after both overstayed their stay permits in Indonegovernment 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 sia – the latter reportedly by 461 days. The head of the Bali Office of Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Anggiat Napitupulu, said yesterday that the Dutch woman, identified as VM, 68, resided in Indonesia for about eight years and three months. She arrived in Indonesia on April 22, “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 2014, and made Lombok Island her home. Anggiat explained that PSBB is designed to limit mobility within a region,essentially and permitted to initially VM arrived using a social visit visa that was valid for six imposing the same social distancing measures that have return to Indonesia. Italy is one of the countries hardest hit by months. Having already started her own bungalow business on already been seen in parts of Indonesia affected by the viral the coronavirus pandemic, with over 105,000 confirmed the island, VM applied for an investor visa and was allowed to stay disease, though this includes additional measures and cases and more than 12,000 deaths. Indonesians coming until October 23, 2020, using a limited stay permit (KITAS). stricter enforcement. from COVID-19 hot zones, which includes Italy, are subject to health screening by the Port Health Authority upon “[She] did not apply for a stay permit extension because, accordThe policy includes shuttering of all businesses and services arrival. Should authorities find that they are exhibiting ing to her confession, she already applied for a KITAP (permanent except those deemed essential, and also banning appearly symptoms of COVID-19, they will be observed at a residence permit) by asking her Indonesian friend to help in 2018, based motorcycle taxis from picking up passengers, meangovernment facility for two weeks. On the other hand, but until now the process remains inconclusive,” Anggiat said. ing they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver those who do not exhibit early symptoms are advised to Last December, immigration officers came to VM’s residence to food to customers. self-quarantine for the same period. check her passport, but she claimed that she lost it and did not report the loss to her embassy. VM was ultimately deported after being detained for two weeks for administrative reasons. She was sent packing last night and departed from the Ngurah Rai International Airport at 9pm, boarding an Amsterdam-bound KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plane. Separately, the immigration office also deported KH, 37, an Egyptian tourist who overstayed by 60 days. In his case, KH was deported after being confined at the detention center for seven months. KH reportedly arrived in Indonesia with a visa on arrival (VOA) on Feb. 2 last year, entering the country in Jakarta before vacationing in Bali. He was later granted an extension on Feb. 24 and was allowed to stay until June 2021, but did not leave the country after the permit expired.After spending months in detention, KH was finally able to fly back home on Monday, boarding a Saudi Arabia Airlines flight at the Jakarta airport bound for Egypt. 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. Indonesia’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. 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, 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) Anggiat said that both VM and KH will be banned from entering Indonesia, although he did not specify the time period. 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

Bali Welcomes The Return Of World Famous Surf Competition

Bali is preparing to welcome surfers from all over the world ahead of the 16th annual Padang Padang Rip Curl Cup. The event has had to be put on hold for the last two years due to the pandemic. Organizers have shared their excitement as they get the final preparations in place. The competition is open to international competitors and prioritizes places for local surfing legends. There are 32 confirmed local invitees, many of whom have been waiting in eager anticipation for the event to return. The event is hosted by surf company Rip Curl with sponsorship partners Island Brewing, Anantara Uluwatu Resort, Bali Belly, BizNet, Asian Surf Co, Cliff House, Samudera Sports, and WSL.

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.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed his stance on closing international borders after an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle in Indonesia. Ministers across Australia, as well as farmers and other agricultural sector officials, are appealing for borders to be locked since the viral outbreak could cause catastrophic damages to Australia’s beef industry. Newspapers in Australia are suggesting that Indonesia has lost control of the outbreak after 22 provinces, including Bali, have been given a red list status after a stream of positive cases was detected. Local news in Bali has gone quiet on the issue in recent days after announcing the culling of over 60 heads of cattle who tested positive earlier in the month. Both the Australian and New Zealand governments have pledged financial and technical support to Indonesia to help curb the spread. The Agriculture Minister for Australia Murray Watt has announced a relief package of AUD 14 million to help stop the virus from entering the country. The emergency funds are being used to implement new biosecurity measures across airports in Australia, including the introduction of detection dogs. A further AUD 5 million is being sent to Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea to help halt the virus in its tracks. Speculation has been rising about a potential ban on Australians visiting Bali and other parts of Indonesia, but PM Albanese has told the press ahead of parliament opening that he is refusing to shut the Australian-Indonesia border. He told reporters that the new biosecurity measures are the ‘strongest ever measures introduced by an Australian government’. PM Albanese expressed his gratitude to the agricultural sector for their support and said ‘I thank them for the co-operation, the advice and engagement that they’re having with the government…It’s important to note that Australia is foot and mouth disease free, that our products continue to be available to the world and it’s important that we try to do everything that we can to maintain that position’. “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.

For travelers heading to Bali from Australia the situation is clear. Borders are open and there are additional biosecurity measures upon your return. This includes a more detailed screening and risk-profiling procedure. Travelers are being advised to leave their flip-flops in Bali since these are very difficult to sanitize. Travelers are being urged to be cooperative with border officials and honest on their customs declarations. It is safe to visit rural and agricultural areas in Bali, foot and mouth disease does not affect humans. Foot and Mouth Disease affects animals with cloven feet such as cows, pigs, and goats. It is important that travelers adhere to the sanitizing protocols to help prevent the spread within Bali and internationally. People can form a bio-bridge for the virus to spread since it survives on living tissue and secretions. The virus can survive in dirt and mud and this is why travelers are being asked to walk across sanitation mats upon their return to Australia. Those who fit the risk profiling criteria may be asked to have their luggage and other belongings sanitized to ensure that they are not risking bringing the virus into Australia. Padang Padang Beach can be found in South Kuta, Uluwatu. The beach is known for having some of the best surf conditions in Bali and has been the favorite hangout of international surfers for decades. The World Surf League (WSL) spoke with local reporters in Bali to share their relief at the event’s return. The competition’s director James Hendy said ‘Being able to watch the world’s best tube riders face off against Indonesia’s best talent in Bali after two years of absence is something we all dream of’. He went on to say that ‘We thank the local surfing community and the local government for allowing this tradition to continue and look forward to seeing everyone come to the opening of this event at Padang Padang Beach on Sunday, July 31’. The format for the event has changed since the last competition in 2019. The event will see the eight top surfers with the highest total heat scores progress to the finals in August. Those eight surfers will be joined by the surfer with the highest overall heat total from two combined waves scores to process to the main competition that will be held during the best waves in August. Organizers and the surfing community are celebrating the appearance of Tanian Angel Izquierdo on the lineup as the only female competitor from Indonesia. She told the media ‘Since I was little, I always come to the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang event to witness and feel how special and magical this event is..when I got the invitation to surf in this year’s trials competition, I felt so amazed, honored and grateful…To be the only Indonesian female surfer to compete against some of my favorite surfers and not just at a regular surf spot but at Padang Padang?! Wow, really a dream come true’.

Bali govt building 115-meter-high tower in Buleleng

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster laid the first stone for the construction of a 115-meter telecommunication tower called Turyapada Tower KBS 6.0 Kerthi Bali in Buleleng district on Saturday. “The Turyapada Tower KBS 6.0 Kerthi Bali will have a height of 115 meters, (and will be) built at an altitude of 1,521 meters from sea level, bringing the total height of the tower to 1,636 meters,” Koster informed in Amerta Sari Customary Village, Sukasada sub-district, Buleleng. The top part of Turyapada Tower will serve as a transmitter for digital TV broadcasts, cellular telecommunications, Internet, and local radio communications. The tower’s body will contain a planetarium, skywalk, rotating restaurant, and glass bridge, while the tower’s pedestal will support conventional tourism by housing an educational laboratory and a museum of communications, which will display technology from each era of civilization. Koster said that the tower, which is being built with a budget of Rp418 billion, will not be inferior to world-famous towers such as Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower, Toronto Tower (CN Tower), Macau Tower, and Fernsehturm Tower. The tower is targeted to be able to stand for at least 500 years and withstand winds and earthquakes, he informed. Turyapada Tower was initiated by Governor Koster as a political promise to the people of Buleleng, who often face limited television broadcast coverage. Koster said he, therefore, decided to build the tower in the integrated Bali Smarts Communication Technology Park. Turyapada Tower will support digital TV broadcasts in 80 percent of the Buleleng, Jembrana, and Karangasem areas. The tower is being constructed by PT Hutama Karya with PT Yodya Karya, and is targeted to reach its final stage in August 2023.