Local News Expat Responsible For ‘Tantric Retreat’ In Bali Hundreds of foreign foreign nationals leave BaliReleased amid Hundreds of nationals leave Bali amid After Investigation coronavirus outbreak
coronavirus outbreak
Australian national, Andrew Irvine Barnes (51) was released after Hundreds of foreigners foreigners departed Bali over over theRetreat” weekend, Hundreds of departed Bali the weekend, his recent arrest for advertising a “Tantric Orgasm on somemedia. As with chartered chartered flights organized by their their respective social previously reported, Barnes by was detained by Bali some with flights organized respective Immigration andfollowing Police forflight his Tantric Orgasmacross Retreat that he governments, following flight cancelations across the globe governments, cancelations the globe promoted on social media with tickets being sold at USD $500 amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration amid7.1 themillion). COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration (IDR
office said said in in aa statement statement that that over over 200 200 foreigners, foreigners, office
consisting mostly of German German nationals, nationals, boarded boarded aa chartered chartered The retreat mostly was of-of consisting ficially cancelledflight German Airlines Airlines flight on on Saturday Saturday headed headed for for Frankfurt, Frankfurt, German and the page was while over over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French while removed from400 Face-passengers consisting of mostly French nationals headed to France France with with Qatar Qatar Airways Airways on on the the same same nationals headed book shortly after itto garnered negative Austrian day. In In addition, addition, Austrian Airlines Airlines also also reportedly reportedly carried carried day. attention over 200online. passengers back to Austria. over 200 passengers back to Austria.
Barnes was being reported on by a local businesswoman, Ni Luh Djelantik, who filed a report to police regarding the retreat.
Foreign missions missions in in Foreign Indonesia have Indonesia have actively used used social social actively media to assist their media to assist their respective citizens. citizens. respective Authorities arrived at Barnes’ residence in Lod to As Tunduh, fewer Ubud, flights As fewer flights take him to Ubud Police Department for investigation on Friday become available become available afternoon (5/3). due to to global global travel travel due restrictions, their “Andrew admitted that he planned to holdrestrictions, the orgasm class at their Amatara Hotel in Ubud, but he had canceled it despite receiving efforts include efforts include five bookings,” saidseeking AKBP Adnyana on Saturday (6/3). assisting those to return return home to to find available available assisting those seeking to home find flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson the He was detained along with his partner, Tara Lie fromfrom Canada, regional office for the thethe Ministry of Law Law and and Human Human Rights, Rights, who helped to organize retreat.of regional office for Ministry told Nusa Nusa Bali Bali yesterday yesterday that that between between March March 1 1 and and 26, 26, told Meanwhile, immigration a violation of nearly 254,000 254,000 foreign officers touristsalso havedid leftnot thefind island. However, nearly have left the island. However, immigration laws foreign as they tourists both carry temporary limited residence the same same period also recorded recorded over 169,000 169,000 foreign foreign tourists tourists the period also over (ITAS) permits for investors in Bali. arriving in in Bali, Bali, he he added. added. Travelers Travelers from from Australia, Australia, Russia Russia arriving Officers educated them by explaining that such activity is against and the United States topped the list of visitors. and the United States topped the list of visitors. the norm of Indonesian culture. (thebalisun.com 07/03/2021).
Last week, week, American American and and Australian Australian citizens citizens in in Indonesia Indonesia were were Last Bali Authorities Safety Airport ordered to leave leave Increase the country country amidMeasures the novel novel at coronavirus ordered to the amid the coronavirus outbreak, wherein wherein officials officials also also cited cited evidence evidence of of Indonesia’s Indonesia’s outbreak, Following the to emercurrent medical medical capacity, capacity, among among other other things, urge current urge gence things, of new,to highly immediate action. action. Some Some foreigners foreigners have have decided to extend immediate decided to extend transmissible variants their stay stay in in Indonesia, Indonesia, it it seems, seems, as as evident byoverseas, packed of evident COVID-19by their packed Baliweek. authorities have inimmigration offices offices across across Bali Bali last last week. Indonesia’s immigration Indonesia’s creased and Directorate General General of of Immigration Immigration has has swiftlyscreening responded to Directorate swiftly responded to safety measures at the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible Ngurah Rai foreigners Internaunable to to return return to to their their home home countries countries due to COVID-19 COVID-19 tionaldue Airport. Primarily, unable to airport for authorities are are being being given given an an automatic automatic extension extension for their their stay stay are executing strenuous permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) health protocols in ev-
ery corner of the airHundreds of Indonesian crew members flying portNo area. The Stakeholder Manager of Ngurah Rai AirLarge-Scale Social Relations Restrictions policy for Bali just port, Taufan Yudhistira notedquarantine that as the main gateway into the in from Italy skip after testing yet,isprovincial government says island, the airport responsible preventing the transmission negative forfor COVID-19 of all variants of COVID-19.
The Bali provincial government says it has yet to consider
Overairport 300 has Indonesian crew members the MSC The carried out safetyRestrictions efforts suchfrom as preparing a imposing Large-Scale Social (PSBB) policy, thermal scanner. need to be more by addingquarantine screening Splendida cruise“We ship reportedly did alert not undergo which requires approval from the central government, to measures,” saidatYudhistira. airport staffAirport thoroughly reupon arrival Ngurah Second, Rai International despite curb the of COVID-19 here, claiming has (ealviews test spread documents and the Electronic Health that Alert itCard having flown in from Genoa, Italy on Monday night. Officials HAC) each passenger upon arrival. readyfrom implemented said all of them tested negative for the novel coronavirus, similar steps to an
“Our check all documents aftersupervision rapid teststeam thatwill were conducted at therequired airport. such as extent.swab test result, or rapid antigen test result while reminde-HAC, ing them to comply with the prevention protocols in Bali,” Yud“As soon as arrived theythe were checked by officers histira added. He also said that airport will cooperate withfrom the Speaking to they Kumpthe Port Health Authority and followedtowith rapid Port’s Health Officere(KKP) Class I Denpasar support thetests. proaran yesterday, gram. Meanwhile, in response toand the [they] new variant of coronavirus, The results were didn’t have to be gional ofnegative the Headsecretary of Bali Health Agency,Ngurah Dr. KetutArda, Suarjaya claims that Bali the quarantined,” Ida Bagus who heads the Bali vaccines adminis-currently being administered from COVID-19 Sinovac province’s Manpower Agency, told Kompas yesterday. There and Biofarma are quite effective in preventing its transmission. tration, Dewa
were 316 Indonesian Made Indra, said crew members in total who boarded a
“According toQatar the observation, theGenoa currenttovaccines we are flight the withprovincial Airlines from Denpasar, viareceivDoha. that ing are also able to prevent the mutated virus transmission,” Dr. government is open to implementing PSBB, should risks of Suarjaya said. (thebalisun.com 08/03/2021).
As toreported by the novel coronavirus on the island continue escalate and Kompas, the crew require a stricter approach. members had also Woman Lost All Her Money After Being Hypnotized undergone a health In Bali “Here in Bali we are already enforcing strict limitations. Substantially we have preceded thisexamination PSBB policy,while but in in Genoa, and according tohas the lost [new] Aformally local woman named Atik the government money herregulation bankafter acwhich on they were count after we strangely being hypnotized the street of course haven’t,” Indra said. by strangers in Tabanan. She doesn’t remember much except a group healthy of peodeclared ple leading her to the atm to drain her account. and permitted to PSBB is designed to limit mobility within a region,essentially return to Indonesia. Italy is distancing one of theSuradadi, countries hardest hit by The woman whosame lives in Banjar Taman Kediri Tabanan imposing the social measures that have said the incident on Friday as she the that coronavirus pandemic, over morning 105,000(5/3) confirmed already been seen inoccurred parts ofwith Indonesia affected by the viral was going to more the ATM. cases and than 12,000 deaths. Indonesians coming disease, though this includes additional measures and fromhad COVID-19 hot zones, USD which Italy, are subject Atik already withdrawn 70includes (IDR 1 million) from BRI stricter enforcement. bank’s ATM to purchase basic needs on Jalan Raya Abiantuwung, to health screening by the Port Health Authority upon Tabanan. Atik’s daughter, Iin explained that when mother arrival. Should authorities find that they areher exhibiting The policy includes shuttering of all businesses services went to the local vendor, a lady wearing a black hat and suddenly apearly symptoms of COVID-19, they will be observed at a proached her. deemed essential, and also banning appexcept those government facility forfrom two picking weeks.upOnpassengers, the other meanhand, based motorcycle taxis “My mom tolddo menot that exhibit a fat woman suddenly tapped shoulder, those who early symptoms areher advised to ing they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver pretending to ask for something,” Iin said. Becoming suspicious, self-quarantine for the period. Atik tried to get away, yet same suddenly a man approached her asking food to customers. if she could help him exchange his Singapore dollar with Indonesian rupiah. Coordinating Human Development and Culture Yesterday, The official implementation requires regional governments
Minister Muhadjir Effendy urged overseas to to submit relevant data and COVID-19 The only thing Atik remembers isreports thatIndonesians sheregarding lost all the money in her bank as they somehow made her withdraw all funds from the stay in the countries in which they are living. The government spread in their area to the Health Ministry, among other ATM.
said there are will no plans arrange repatriation, but things, which assesstothem andtheir decide on whether orthat not they willapproval. be provided supplies. Indonesia is for currently to grant The with process has been criticized being After the incident, Atik a report to Taoverly bureaucratic. anticipating mass arrivals of Indonesiansfiled abroad, particularly banan Police Departthose seeking to leave Malaysia as it enforces its movement ment. Officers tried to Indonesia’s which the highest number investigate the case control ordercapital (MCO),Jakarta, as well as crew has members of international by gathering informaof confirmed COVID-19 cases, tocruise become the cruise ships looking to return home isas set some lines halt tion PSBB. from the location. country’s first region enforce As of this their operations. For to theofficially latter, their return will likely be According to the CCTV afternoon, the city 1,395 cases ofwere the footage, there through Ngurah Rai,reports Muhadjir said,confirmed adding that there are perpetrators and coronavirus, including 133 deaths and five 69 recoveries. about 11,000 crew members abroad. As of they drove a blackIndonesian Toyota Avanza. yesterday afternoon, Bali has recorded 19 positive Bali, for its part, has far reported 43 confirmed Iin hopes that the perpetrators willtwo be deaths arrested asCOVID-19 the police COVID-19 cases. Thisso includes ofsoon, foreign nationals already other from and two different people the cases, received including 19 reports recoveries two deaths of with foreign and four recoveries. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) same case recently.(thebalisun.com 10/03/2021). nationals. (coconuts.com 07/04/2020)
22 Bali governor designates Ubud, and Nusa Dua as COVID-19 ‘green spread zones’ of forcoronavirus foreign tourists Indonesia to temporarily temporarily ban all allSanur, foreign arrivals, transits to curb curb further further Indonesia to ban foreign arrivals, transits to spread of coronavirus Three popular tourist destinations in Bali have officially been JAKARTA-- Indonesia Indonesia willtemporarily temporarily ban visits and transits designated “green zones,” the governor announced yesterJAKARTA will ban all all visits and transits by by foreign nationals to country the country to the curbfurther the further foreign to appears the to curb spread of the day, as nationals Indonesia to be moving forward withspread plans coronavirus. “President (Joko) seesvisitors that oursees policy needs to of reopen the coronavirus. (Joko) our current to the island “President to foreign incurrent thethat near future. be madeneeds stricter.toWebe have decided that We have all visits and tranpolicy made stricter. decided that sits by foreign to Indonesia will temporarily be banned,” all previously visits and nationals transits officials by foreign nationals to Indonesia will As hinted, have settled on Ubud, Sanur, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after a Marsudi virtual ministemporarily be banned,” Foreign Minister Retno told and Indonesia TourismJoko Development Corporation (ITDC) ters’ the meeting with President Widodo on Tuesday (March 31). reporters after a virtual ministers’ withGovernor PresidentWayJoko area in Nusa Dua as green zones,meeting which Bali Widodo on Tuesday (March 31). an Koster explained part of awith newwork “COVID-19 Exceptions to the ban was include those permits assafe travwell as diplomats, el” strategy. Ms Retno added, stressing that proper health protoExceptions to the ban include those with permits as cols will still apply. President Joko said before the work ministers’ meeting well Indonesia as diplomats, Retno stressing that proper that is stepping up of measures limit mobility among its The green zones areMspart aadded, “FreetoCOVID Corridor” prohealth protocols still apply. President Joko said spread before also the citizens within thewill country, but threats of coronavirus gram, Koster said, and the first step of this strategy is to come from meeting overseas.that Mr Joko pointedisout specifically that the epiministers’ Indonesia stepping up measures to vaccinate everyone who resides and conductsStates activities Euin centres of the pandemic shifted to the limit mobility among itshave citizens within theUnited country, but and threats the designated areas. rope. of coronavirus spread also come from overseas. Mr Joko pointed out specifically that the epicentres of the pandemic In Indonesia, Jakarta Corridor is the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus “This Free COVID Program is a precondition for have shifted to the United States and Europe. crisis, accounting nearly to halfforeign of the 1,414 confirmed cases. steps to reopen for tourism tourists,” Koster saidThere at a are 122 deaths frominCovid-19, the disease caused by the coronavipress conference In Indonesia, JakartaDenpasar. is the epicentre of the country’s coronarus, in Indonesia so far, the highest in South-east Asia. Stay in the virus with crisis, accounting for nearly half of have the 1,414 confirmed know e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations put in place limits The governor said more thanfrom 50,000 people in are cases. There are that 122with deaths Covid-19, theUbud disease on the flow of travellers varying (degree of) strictness dependgoing berespective vaccinated as part ofcondition this particular program, caused by the coronavirus, inand Indonesia soinfar, the highestas in ing on to the situation each country,” Ms Retno said. Asia. Stay in the know with e-mail alerts. “Practically South-east
well as over 60,000 people in Nusa Dua, and nearly 27,000 people in Sanur, who are residing in villages and sub-districts that have been officially selected. The province reported 256 new coronavirus cases and seven from Jakarta, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak,per return 11,838 Indonesian working 80 cruise ships, data deaths yesterday. crews According to for Dicky Budiman, anasepidemihome. The government is preparing regulations that would gathered so far,” Ms Retno added. ologist from Griffith University Australia, Bali should achieve make it possible for Jakarta and other coronavirus red zones aShe ofunder at least twoisweeks withoutaproper reporting any deaths, said government implementing protocols at totarget be putthe an “area quarantine”, term health observers see as among a bunch of other targets to fulfill, before even considairports, seaports, border check points on these returning equivalent to a lockdown, which would stop flows ofcountrypeople men. Joko on to Monday Indonesia needs stronger measures ering toinreopen mass said tourism. (coconuts.co 23/02/2021) goingMr and out. to limit mobility after receiving reports that thousands of workers in
Jakarta and its possible surroundingdeportation areas have returned to their home towns Foreigners defying in flow Bali of face IDR1 million fine, Coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister Luhut all nations have put inhealth place protocols limits on the travellers after losing most or all of their income amid the coronavirus outTheir policies have alsoof) impacted Indonesians living many Pandjaitan said in a video message on Tuesday that the with varying (degree strictness depending onoverseas, the respective break. of whom and have condition recently returned home or are preparing to head last month, the Publictake Orderthe Agency (Satpol PP) said 90 government would decision within thisthat week, situation in each country,” Ms Retno said. home. According to Ms Retno, the two largest groups of homebound percent of mask rule violators in the regency are foreigners. stressing however Indonesia would use the term lockdown. There have been concerns of a spread of infections as people from Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well a result, Koster of said the central Jakarta, the epicentre thethat country’s outbreak,government return home.has The Their policies have also impacted Indonesians living overseas, As as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. government is preparing regulations that would make it possible for Indonesia would also issue a presidential emergency decree his administration to implement stricter administrative many of whom have recently returned home or are preparing urged Jakarta andfor other coronavirus red zones to protocols. be an put annual under an “area that would allow the government to have budget to head home. According to two Ms Retno, the been two largest groups those who disobey health “The inflow traffic from these groups has far larger than sanctions quarantine”, a term observers see as equivalent to a lockdown, of homebound Indonesians are of Indonesian migrantof workers normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms size, the number Indone- deficit of larger than 3 per cent – currently not allowed by the which would stop of people going in and out. (straitstimes.com existing laws – flows so that it could spend more to rule deploy cash, from living Malaysia as wellinas Indonesians on Bali sians and working Malaysia exceeds working 1 million. as Andcrews there are started implementing a mandatory mask in Sep01/04/2020) especially to the poorest population in country. This cruise ships. tember, where individuals without masks the outside of their exemption would apply for three years, before a normal homes were subject to an IDR100,000 (US$6.98) fine, which Bali plans to hold Nyepi-like observance to curb COVID-19 spread “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger threshold of 3 per cent would be reinstalled for 2023 annual applied for both Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals. than normal,” Ms Retno said.Adat, “In terms of size, village the number of budget year. Bali province’s Majelis Desa or traditional council, Indonesians living and in Malaysia exceeds 1later million. says there are plans to working hold a Nyepi-like observance this However, foreigners appear to have disproportionately disAnd there are 11,838 Indonesian working for 80 cruise month as part of an effort to curb crews the spread of COVID-19 on “(Finance Minister) Sri Mulyani is currently making her calculation. the rule in the months since, with authorities sayIt’s official. Foreign nationals in Bali are now subject to a regarded ships, as per data gathered so far,” Ms Retno added. the island, with the final decision set to be announced tomor- What if we give the bottom 40 per cent or 20 per cent direct that those “too cheap” for them. higher fine of IDR1 million (US$69.80) if they are caught ing cash handouts.initial It isfines beingwere thoroughly calculated,” MrUnder Luhut row. regulation, without arepast still subwithout the first time,is while a second proper violationhealth may the said.new President JokoIndonesians said on Monday thatmasks over the eight She saidmasks the government implementing ject to IDR100,000 fine, but the fine for foreign nationals subject them to deportation from Indonesia, according to a days alone, 876 buses had transported about 14,000 people protocols at airports, seaports, border check points on these The council’s chief, Ida Panglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, told increased tenfold fortotheir violation. new regulation. in Greater Jakarta back theirfirst home towns, mostly in West returning countrymen. Mr Joko Monday saidforIndonesia Tribun yesterday that nothing hasonbeen decided the time has needs stronger measures to limit mobility after first. receiving Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java provinces. being, as authorities would need to hold a meeting reports that thousands workers in Jakarta and its surrounding The new rules are laidofout in Bali Gubernatorial Regulation Should they be caught a second time without masks, they Othersface haddeportation. taken the trains and ships home, he added. These areas have returned to their home towns after losing most or could No. and officially intoto effect on 4, “We 10/2021 will decide on April 8. If came it’s going happen weMarch will issue all their income amidto the coronavirus outbreak. an of official circular from the village council,”Wayan Agung are mostly daily-rated workers such as push-cart food sellers, though today appears betraditional the first time Governor in what is termed informalrefusing sector to of wear the masks economy. Putra was quoted as saying. almost a year ofthe foreigners in After Koster announced it in public. (straitstimes.com 01/04/2020) There have been concerns of a spread of infections as people public, especially in popular areas like Ubud and Canggu, are Themonths observance, locally referred asto sipeng, will foreigners only man- we about to see better compliance to basic health protocols For now, authorities haveto had deal with date people stay home for three days and Bali’sthat The Nusa Duaatmandatory improves safety measures amid pandemic across the island? (coconuts.co 09/03/2021). defying the province’s maskconsecutive rule, as they make will not follow the exact same rules as the Balinese Day of important to inform the general public way ahead of the acup the majority of violators in regions such as Badung. Just Silence, according to reports. State-owned enterprise Indonesia Tourism Development tual dates. So it doesn’t seem so abrupt.” “So will there be Corporation (ITDC) is implementing safety measures to help provision of food from the government?” Internet to stayof on duringself-reflection Nyepi: provincial Ordinarily, Nyepi encourages by prohibiting acstop the spread COVID-19 at touristBali destination Thegovernment Nusa tivities lighting a fire,Ardita, working, and traveling Dua in such Bali. as I Gusti Ngurah managing directororofgoing The “Those who have plenty of money from monthly salary have In case you’ve beenThe worried about goinghowever, offline this coming out, others. planned sipeng, only it good as they can simply stock up, but what can we do when Nusaamong Dua, told Antara news agency that a letterwould had been Sunday, the provincial government has confirmed that the prohibit people from leaving their homes. sent to tenants, urging them to provide hand sanitizers internet will stay on during Nyepi, or the Balinese Day of and Si- we depend on daily income. If it were to happen for four days please think it further wisely.” regularly spray disinfectant in public areas, including toilets, lence, this year. While official details haveand notshuttle been announced, news of sippray rooms, ATM booths buses. eng quickly its rounds on social media, showcasing direportsmade published last week, which said that there was News As of yesterday afternoon, Bali confirmed eight additional vided opinions among local residents. Prompted by concerns going toinbeaccordance a province-wide shutdown during Nyepi, cases of COVID-19, bringing the island’s total to 43. This in“This is with a internet circular letter from Bali’s provincial over COVID-19, e are supportive ofsanitation the initiative, while caused some confusion among the public. administration onsom improving hygiene and to combat cludes 19 recoveries and two deaths of foreign nationals. others question how peopleatare toare meet daily the virus,” he said. Tenants Theexpected Nusa Dua alsotheir required (Coconuts.com 07/04/2020) needs should the observance place. “I visitors agree,Protocol but “This means cellular data andstaff IPTV (Internet to check thethat temperature of take all and and it’s to television) will be off, but the internet will remain on. The routinely clean sites. in A crisis center has been sethundreds up for percent since February. “We hope the pandemic will Thousands oftheir workers Bali on unpaid leave, more laid off internet at home, especially in hospitals and other vital ob- 30.45 guests, with services that include delivery toHead the nearest end soon and tourism in Bali can improve,” said Ardita. jects will be on like normal,” Gede Pramana, of the Local authorities in Balicheck-ups are reporting hundreds of workers having “Everywhere [in Indonesia] is pretty much facing the same condihospital and routine withStatistics health agencies. Communication, and Agency in Bali, tion. We don’t know when this will end,” Ida Bagus Oka Dirga, who lost their jobs dueInformatics to the COVID-19 outbreak and its subsequent or assaid. they areaexpected to use the day for selfsaid in aon statement. On Tuesday, Bali declared state of emergency by imposing heads thetravel, agency, impacts the tourism industry, while thousands more have been work Ardita added The without Nusa Dua’s stricter measures on visitors in an effort to curb the spread of instructed to staythat at home pay. employees have been reflection. “Only [cellular data] on phones off. You still text working from home from Marchwill 16,be except for can security and COVID-19 He added that in Badung, more to than 6,000 workers 78 comas cases continue climb with local from transmission data services being turned off during Nyepi is not and call, even and with mobile phones gear can Cellular panies have been instructed to at home and given between 50 cleaning staff, your who computer, have beenlaptop equipped protective detected. With the status, thestay resort island will tighten checks new,ofand non-mobile internet service providers connect to the Wi-Fidistancing at home or office and be used like As norto 70 percent their minimum salary. and follow physical measures while on duty. of exactly at entrance gates and enforce a 14-day self-quarantine for all have also largely remained operational in previous mal.” March 26, the occupancy rate at The Nusa Dua had dropped (ISPs) people entering thetransportation island.empty, (thejakartapost.com 01/04/2020) “Right In now, with the hotels of course workers willNgurah burden years. addition, hubs, including the the operational cost. That’s why they have instructed them stay Rai International Airport, will be closed for 24 hourstofrom The holy day falls on Sunday, March 14 this year. Everyone home.coronavirus However, hope they on won’t be laying [these work6am on Marchwe14do to 6am March 15.off(coconuts.co Denpasar urgestocity residents to stay at home outbreak on the islandmayor is expected respect the sacred practice and amid ers],” I Made Badra, who heads the Tourism Agency in Badung, told stay inside, where lights are not supposed to be seen from 09/03/2021). Tribun. the outside. Tradition holds that people are not supposed to The Mayor of Denpasar yesterday urged the city’s residents to refrain from returning to their hometowns and stay at home Bali hotels roll out cheap promos or shut to survive corona2instead, Balinese menofarrested for alleged attempt to deposit US$1.5 million of counterfeit cash outbreak as part an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in virus Bali. “I am asking all residents living in Denpasar for the time brought 15,000 one hundred US dollar bills and attempted The Bali Hotel Association (BHA), whose members include general being do not go anywhere, including to go to your hometown, to make aofdeposit. tellers procedures while managers over 100Bank four-star and followed five-star hotels and resorts in stay at your as respective [instead] to told break on assisting Bali, said them, that most accommodations and restaurants in Bali have In Denpasar, many as homes 2,975 workers were to the staychain at home during which they discovered irregularities. COVID-19 , as 53 quoted by were statelaid news agency without pay spread,” while another workers off, the city’sAntara. spokes- opted to temporarily close for at least one month. man Gede Rai told Kompas, adding that the workers were from 37 “Each [US] dollar has a serial number, and after [these “At this time, almost all hotels and restaurants in Bali are closed different Many of companies. those who live in Denpasar hail from different parts were] checked it showed that these don’t Oki temporarily for one to two months, as weones monitor theexist,” most up to of the island and even the country. With the social and physi- said, that thechairman bills were also imperfectly printed. situation,” BHA I Made Ricky Darmika Putra told “It’s because there is a lack of guests and hotels are not operating,” date adding cal distancing Gede Rai said. advisory in place and the option to return to state news agency Antara yesterday.
their family homes might make sense financially, officials fear
it might contribute to furtherinspread of COVID-19. For the time being, authorities Denpasar are reportedly planning a social protection strategy for these workers, including through Indonesian pre-employment launched Accordinggovernment’s to Denpasar government’s,cards, therewhich are was currently 96 last month. The cards, which aim to aid job seekers and unemployed people under monitoring in the city, along with two patients Two Balinese were invarious Surabaya, East Java workers, grant residents them access andarrested funding to trainings.
underallegedly observation and twoto more who US$1.5 have tested positive for after attempting deposit million of fake the numbers novel coronavirus. Across Bali, the total where number of of posiThe are even higher in Badung regency, some the bills at a local bank. tive COVID-19 caseshotels stand atrestaurants 10 as of yesterday island’s most popular and are located.afternoon, An official from the regency’s Industry and Manpower Agency Tribun including two deaths of foreign nationals, whiletold a total of yes141 Oki Ahadian, heads thebeen criminaloffinvestigation unit at terday thathave 198who workers have as of April most of patients been placed underlaid observation, as 4,per data Surabaya Police,insaid yesterday that the two suspects, whom wereCity employed the tourism sector. from the provincial government. identified as 42-year-old IWW and 56-year-old SMJ, had
Authorities then took the bills for examination, and it was Ricky also responded to circulating information that many hotels in found they were fake bills. Bali arethat up for sale, clarifying that those reports are false. In addiIWW and SMJ told the police obtained thethan countion, he explained how hotels thatthat are they still open have less 10 terfeit from someone in Bali, adding have that cut they have percentmoney occupancy rates, while most restaurants their op“Our success in breaking the chain of coronavirus spread erational short. used the hours money for personal expenses so far. They traveled requires discipline and cooperation from everyone, not only the to Surabaya intending to deposit the money so they can Meanwhile, some are still attract potential government, butother also hotels the public in seeking heedingtothe instructions write checks. customers, and are rolling out cheap promotions on long-term and suggestions from officials,” Rai Mantra said. Last week, a stays. Lv8, a hotel in Canggu, which offers nurse One whoexample testedispositive for located COVID-19 reportedly went a one-month stay feecriminal starting from (US$481). Under Indonesia’s codeIDR8million (KUHP), they each For facepera home tothe Tabanan regency, prompting officials to trace milher spective, hotel’s normal daily rate ranges from IDR800K-1 maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. (coconuts.co close(coconuts.com contacts immediately. lion. 07/04/2020) 09/03/2021).
