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The quirks of Mandalika GP: Rain shaman, litter dominate post-race discussions Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid coronavirus outbreak Hundreds of foreign nationals leave Bali amid coronavirus outbreak

That was probably the song in the minds of the 2022 InHundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, donesia MotoGP Grand Prix’s organizers over the weeksome with chartered flights organized by their respective some with chartered flights organized by their respective end. Held at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in governments, following flight cancelations across the globe governments, following flight cancelations across the globe Central Lombok on Sunday, it was the first time since 1997 amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried over 200 passengers back to Austria. over 200 passengers back to Austria. Foreign missions in Foreign missions in Indonesia have Indonesia have actively used social actively used social media to assist their media to assist their respective citizens. respective citizens. As fewer flights As fewer flights become available become available due to global travel due to global travel restrictions, their restrictions, their efforts include efforts include assisting those seeking to return home to find available assisting those seeking to return home to find available flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia and the United States topped the list of visitors. and the United States topped the list of visitors. Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were ordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus ordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, wherein officials also cited evidence of Indonesia’s outbreak, wherein officials also cited evidence of Indonesia’s current medical capacity, among other things, to urge current medical capacity, among other things, to urge immediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend immediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 are being given an automatic extension for their stay are being given an automatic extension for their stay permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020)

that Indonesia hosted a race for the top motorbike racing competition. With some suggesting that the major event was part of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s ambition to promote non-Bali tourism (plus, like many Indonesians, His Excellency is a fan of MotoGP himself), there was no way they would let rain disturb the event. The rain-averting shaman was reportedly recommended by Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir to delay rain at Mandalika. Rara reportedly already proved her “ability” by diverting precipitation during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang (of which Erick was the committee leader). For the Mandalika grand prix, Rara was employed by the state-owned Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation, one of the race’s organizers. Rain shamans are still believed by many Indonesians to have the ability to delay rainfall and are often hired for outdoor events such as weddings. Interestingly enough, while the official MotoGP Facebook account and a German media practically praised her, the same cannot be said for, wait for it, Indonesian netizens. “Please repent, do not try to challenge God’s will,” said a Facebook user. .... read more on www.baliadvertiser.biz

No Large-Scale Social Restrictions policy for Bali just Hundreds of Indonesian crew members flying

Gilimanuk-Mengwi Toll Road to improve connectivity in Bali: official yet, provincial government says in from Italy skip quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19

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

Speaking to Kumparan yesterday, regional secretary of the Bali administration, Dewa Made Indra, said that the provincial government is open to implementing PSBB, should risks of the novel coronavirus on the island continue to escalate and require a stricter approach. “Here in Bali we are already enforcing strict limitations. “The government, through the Ministry of Public Works Substantially we have preceded this PSBB policy, but and Public Housing, (aims to) increase connectivity on formally and according to the [new] government regulation the island of Bali through the Gilimanuk-Mengwi Toll of course we haven’t,” Indra said. Road,” he remarked at the signing of the toll road’s development agreement in Denpasar on Tuesday. PSBB is designed to limit mobility within a region,essentially imposing the same social distancing measures that have The construction of the Gilimanuk-Mengwi Toll Road is already been seen in parts of Indonesia affected by the viral among the national strategic projects listed in the Coordisease, though this includes additional measures and dinating Minister for Economic Affairs Regulation No. 7 stricter enforcement. of 2021, he noted. The policy includes shuttering of all businesses and services The Gilimanuk-Mengwi Toll Road will measure 96.84 except those deemed essential, and also banning appkm in length and its construction will be divided into based motorcycle taxis from picking up passengers, meanthree sections, he informed. ing they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver food to customers. 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.

“Section 1 will connect Gilimanuk and Pekutatan with a length of 54.7 km, Section 2 with a length of 23.17 km connecting Pekutatan and Soka, and Section 3 of 18.9 km connecting Soka and Mengwi,” he said. According to Parikesit, the construction of the second toll road in Bali is expected to reduce travel time between Jembrana and Badung Districts. “Through this toll road, the travel time from Gilimanuk to Mengwi is estimated to be at 1 to 1.5 hours drive,” he said. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said that the Gilimanuk-MengBali, for its part, has so far reported 43 confirmed COVID-19 wi... read more on www.baliadvertiser.biz cases, including 19 recoveries and two deaths of foreign nationals. (coconuts.com 07/04/2020)

JAKARTA - Indonesia will temporarily ban all visits and transits by foreign nationals to the country to curb the further spread of the coronavirus. “President (Joko) sees that our current policy needs to be made stricter. We have decided that all visits and transits by foreign nationals to Indonesia will temporarily be banned,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after a virtual ministers’ meeting with President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (March 31). Exceptions to the ban include those with work permits as well as diplomats, Ms Retno added, stressing that proper health protocols will still apply. President Joko said before the ministers’ meeting that Indonesia is stepping up measures to limit mobility among its citizens within the country, but threats of coronavirus spread also come from overseas. Mr Joko pointed out specifically that the epicentres of the pandemic have shifted to the United States and Europe. In Indonesia, Jakarta is the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus crisis, accounting for nearly half of the 1,414 confirmed cases. There are 122 deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in Indonesia so far, the highest in South-east Asia. Stay in the know with e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations have put in place limits on the flow of travellers with varying (degree of) strictness depending on the respective situation and condition in each country,” Ms Retno said. Their policies have also impacted Indonesians living overseas, many of whom have recently returned home or are preparing to head home. According to Ms Retno, the two largest groups of homebound Indonesia Ends All Quarantine Requirement in Broad Reopening Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. Indonesia is lifting all quarantine rules for international “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger than travellers to end two years of border closure, following normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms of size, the number of Indoneits neighbours in easing restrictions as South-east Asia sians living and working in Malaysia exceeds 1 million. And there are moves past the worst of the Omicron wave. The government will broaden quarantine-free travel to the rest of the country, while still requiring a negative Covid-19 test result, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said in his weekly briefing on Monday (March 21). The reopening comes after a successful two-week trial of quarantine-free travel to Bali, Batam and Bintan islands, where the spread of the virus remained low, he added. South-east Asia’s largest economy has steadily chipped away at its remaining virus restrictions, most recently by allowing domestic travellers to board flights without having to present negative test results.

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

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

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

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

All the isolation facilities in the Jembrana region have zero occupants as Covid-19 cases continually go down. The Secretary II of the Jembrana Covid-19 Handling Task Force, I Putu Agus Artana Putra, confirmed that all the regional government’s isolation facilities for Covid-19 patients have zero occupants as Covid transmission has significantly decreased. “We just had one patient a few weeks ago. We haven’t received any more patients in the last few days,” Artana said on Sunday (20/3). Artana explained that four clinics and several appointed hotels in Jembrana are empty. “Nobody is being isolated at the moment, so all those isolation facilities are unoccupied,” Artana added. 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 Despite receiving zero patients at the isolation facili- to be put under an “area quarantine”, a term observers see as ties, Artana admitted that several patients who suffer equivalent to a lockdown, which would stop flows of people from comorbid diseases are still being treated at the going in and out. hospital. Coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister Luhut “We still have a few Covid-19 patients at our hospital 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)

and asymptomatic patients who are undergoing selfisolation at home,” Artana concluded. He also urged Bali residents to join the vaccination program to prevent another surge in Jembrana. Per the data from Jembrana’s officials, the region recorded 7,695 cases, 7,432 recoveries, and 247 deaths since the pandemic struck in 2020. (thebalisun.com/ 22/03) Daily coronavirus cases have dropped more than 90 per cent from the peak in mid-February, even as deaths remain high, reaching 139 people on Sunday. ... read more on www.baliadvertiser.biz

Over 1,000 International Travelers Have Received Visa On Arrival In Bali

An official from the Immigration Office has confirmed that over 1,000 foreign visitors have applied for visas on arrival since the government resumed the policy a few Local authorities in Bali are reporting hundreds of workers having weeks ago. lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak and its subsequent impacts on the tourism industry, while thousands more have been The Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office Class I, I instructed to stay at home without pay. Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, confirmed that 1,384 international travelers have applied for a visa on arrival under tourism purposes since the government resumed the VoA program on March 7. “From the 4,330 foreign visitors that have entered Bali, 1,384 of them applied for the VoA,” In Denpasar, as many as 2,975 workers were told to stay at home without pay while another 53 workers were laid off, the city’s spokesman Gede Rai told Kompas, adding that the workers were from 37 different companies. “It’s because there is a lack of guests and hotels are not operating,” Gede Rai said. For the time being, authorities in Denpasar are reportedly planning a social protection strategy for these workers, including through Indonesian government’s pre-employment cards, which was launched last month. The cards, which aim to aid job seekers and unemployed workers, grant them access and funding to various trainings. The numbers are even higher in Badung regency, where some of the island’s most popular hotels and restaurants are located. An official from the regency’s Industry and Manpower Agency told Tribun yesterday that 198 workers have been laid off as of April 4, most of whom were employed in the tourism sector.

Bali’s The Nusa Dua improves safety measures amid pandemic

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

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

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

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

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

The Mayor of Denpasar yesterday urged the city’s residents to refrain from returning to their hometowns and stay at home instead, as part of an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Bali. “I am asking all residents living in Denpasar for the time being do not go anywhere, including to go to your hometown, stay at your respective homes [instead] to break the chain on COVID-19 spread,” , as quoted by state news agency Antara. Many of those who live in Denpasar hail from different parts of the island and even the country. With the social and physical distancing advisory in place and the option to return to their family homes might make sense financially, officials fear it might contribute to further spread of COVID-19. According to Denpasar government’s, there are currently 96 people under monitoring in the city, along with two patients under observation and two more who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Across Bali, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases stand at 10 as of yesterday afternoon, including two deaths of foreign nationals, while a total of 141 patients have been placed under observation, as per data from the provincial government. Mataram said on Thursday (17/3). He explained that the majority of travelers who applied for the VoA were from 5 specific countries. “23 countries can apply for the visa on arrival in Bali Airport. However, most of the travelers who have entered with this type of visa were from Australia, America, England, France, and Russia,” Mataram added. Meanwhile, the Stakeholder Relations Manager of Angkasa Pura I for Ngurah Rai Airport, Taufan Yudhistira, said that the traffic of Bali Airport has significantly increased. “Bali Airport saw 7,393 passengers pass through the international arrivals terminal and 3,353 passengers went through the international departures terminal from March 3 to March 16. In total, there were 188 international flights,” Taufan said. Six international airlines, namely, Jetstar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Garuda Airlines, Scoot Tigerair, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines have resumed their flight routes to Bali. (thebalisun.com/ 22/03)

AirAsia’s Kuala Lumpur-Bali officially back in action. Up next? Bangkok-Bali

Low-cost airline AirAsia marked its international return to the Island of the Gods as its Kuala Lumpur-Denpasar flight landed at the Ngurah Rai International Airport yesterday. It was AirAsia’s first international flight to Bali since the pandemic started about two years ago. In a statement published yesterday afternoon, AirAsia announced the landing of flight AK-376 in Bali, carrying 106 passengers. The flight departed from Kuala Lumpur at 10:24am local time and arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport at 1:21pm. “The Bali-Kuala Lumpur direct flight is one of the main routes for tourists from Southeast Asia and other Asia re- “Our success in breaking the chain of coronavirus spread gions to enter Bali with AirAsia. In 2019 (before the pan- requires discipline and cooperation from everyone, not only the demic), AirAsia Airline Group served 45 Kuala Lumpur-Bali flights per week and carried 482,000 tourists from various countries to enter Bali via Kuala Lumpur,” AirAsia Indonesia CEO Veronika Yosephine said. 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.

Since the reopening of international flights to Bali, as well as the reactivation of visa on arrival entry, AirAsia saw its flight bookings to Bali increase by 232 percent, according to the statement. As of yesterday, more than 1,000 seats on the airline’s Kuala Lumpur-Bali flights have been booked for the month ahead. .... read more on www.baliadvertiser.biz