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Bali’s airport yesterday uploaded the latest rules for incoming Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, international travelers, in accordance with the Ministry of Transportation’s Regulation No. 71/2022. And since we want to see you arrive here safe and sound, we want to outline all of the rules here. some with chartered flights organized by their respective governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, some with chartered flights organized by their respective governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, The rules are set to come into effect on July 17. 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 Here we go: 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)

1. Prepare your flight ticket (not to state the obvious, but, again, Murphy’s Law) 2. Make sure all of your documents (e.g. ID, passport, visa) are valid. You might roll your eyes at this but, in March, there was an Australian woman who could not board a plane to Bali because her passport was moldy. So make sure all of your documents are in good condition 3. Prepare your COVID-19 vaccination documents, be it hard copy or soft copies. Although, just a suggestion, make sure you have both, just in case. If you happen to be a traveler who cannot get a COVID-19 vaccination jab due to medical reasons, you are obligated to show a doctor’s certificate from a government hospital in your country of departure 4. Travelers who have received at least two shots of a COVID-19 vaccine may enter without undergoing quarantine. However, RT-PCR tests upon arrival will be required if your body temperature is recorded at above 37.5 degrees celsius 5. If you are either unvaccinated or have only gotten the first jab, you will be required to undergo a 5-day quarantine 6. Download, install, and sign up for the mobility tracking app

PeduliLindungi. Ngurah Rai airport also uploaded the latest set of rules for domestic flights coming to Bali per the Ministry of Transportation’s Regulation No. 70/2022.

Per this rule, people who have received a booster jab are not required to get a COVID-19 test before flying. People who are double vaccinated are required to show a negative antigen results taken 24 hours prior to the departure, or a negative RTNo Large-Scale Social Restrictions policy for Bali just yet, provincial government says Hundreds of Indonesian crew members flying in from Italy skip quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19 PCR result taken three days before flying. Travelers who have only received the first jab are required to show a negative RT-PCR result taken 3 days before departure. Travelers who have special or underlying medical conditions are obligated to show a negative RT-PCR result taken 3 days before departure as well as a doctor’s certificate from a government hospital. 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)

Travelers between the ages of 6 and 17 who have received the second jab are exempt from testing. Children under the age of Speaking to Kump6 are exempt from both vaccination and testing obligations, as aran yesterday, relong as they are under the careful supervision of their parents gional secretary of during travel. the Bali administration, Dewa Booster shot must be taken week before travel: ministry Made Indra, said that the provincial government is open to implementing PSBB, should risks of People planning to travel will need to take the COVID-19 booster shot at least a week before departure, Spokesperthe novel coronavirus on the island continue to escalate and require a stricter approach. son for the Ministry of Health Mohammad Syahril has said. “Here in Bali we are already enforcing strict limitations. Substantially we have preceded this PSBB policy, but “This booster is intended to build antibodies, and they are formally and according to the [new] government regulation formed in one or two weeks. Do not take the booster vac-of course we haven’t,” Indra said. cine one day before departure,” Syahril advised in Jakarta on Tuesday. PSBB is designed to limit mobility within a region,essentially imposing the same social distancing measures that have The circular outlines several directives. For instance, it already been seen in parts of Indonesia affected by the viral makes booster vaccinations a requirement for entering disease, though this includes additional measures and public facilities such as offices, factories, public parks, stricter enforcement. tourist attractions, museums, restaurants, cafés, shopping centers or malls, trade centers, and other public areas. The policy includes shuttering of all businesses and services except those deemed essential, and also banning appPeople who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons will based motorcycle taxis from picking up passengers, meanneed to obtain a doctor’s certificate from a hospital or government health facility. Children under 18 years old have ing they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver food to customers. also been excluded from the regulation. The official implementation requires regional governments Before getting the booster shot, recipients must pay attention to the vaccine interval so that the perfect level of antibodies is formed in their body, Syahril said. 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. “The percentage of booster vaccines in Indonesia is now at 25 percent, even though it should have been 50 perIndonesia’s capital Jakarta, which has the highest number cent. We need to achieve another 25 million doses. It of confirmed COVID-19 cases, is set to become the takes hard work because some people are reluctant, so we country’s first region to officially enforce PSBB. As of this need to implement a strategy,” he remarked. afternoon, the city reports 1,395 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 133 deaths and 69 recoveries. As part of the booster vaccination strategy, the Health Ministry has reactivated vaccination centers in a number of Bali, for its part, has so far reported 43 confirmed COVID-19 public spaces and increased the education of the public. cases, including 19 recoveries and two deaths of foreign nationals. (coconuts.com 07/04/2020)

Benoa Habour is about to receive a huge investment of funds to JAKARTA - Indonesia will temporarily ban all visits and transits by JAKARTA - Indonesia will temporarily ban all visits and transits create what will be known as the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub. foreign nationals to the country to curb the further spread of the by foreign nationals to the country to curb the further spread The development is partially funded by the Indonesian governcoronavirus. “President (Joko) sees that our current policy needs to be made stricter. We have decided that all visits and tranof the coronavirus. “President (Joko) sees that our current policy needs to be made stricter. We have decided that ment and is being delivered by the private company Pelindo. sits 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 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). The investment, totaling nearly USD 80 million has been signed off, and will be used to develop the infrastructure and waterways management of Benoa Harbour to establish the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub. 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 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 A report by Antara News, Indonesia’s national news agency explains how the project will directly impact the local economy, come from overseas. Mr Joko pointed out specifically that the epiministers’ meeting that Indonesia is stepping up measures to and the local government and bring benefits all the way up to centres of the pandemic have shifted to the United States and Eulimit mobility among its citizens within the country, but threats government and business at a national level. The intention is for rope. of coronavirus spread also come from overseas. Mr Joko the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub to be a source of business growth 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 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 coronafor micro, small and medium enterprises across Bali. With this in mind, the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub management team is looking to develop facilities on land, but first, they must know with e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations have put in place limits virus crisis, accounting for nearly half of the 1,414 confirmed improve the infrastructure in the sea. They must specifically imon the flow of travellers with varying (degree of) strictness dependcases. There are 122 deaths from Covid-19, the disease prove anchorage and shipping lanes. When this work is coming on the respective situation and condition in each country,” Ms caused by the coronavirus, in Indonesia so far, the highest in plete Benoa Habour and Bali Maritime Tourism Hub will be able Retno said. South-east Asia. Stay in the know with e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations have put in place limits on the flow of travellers to welcome commercial cruise ships. 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 with varying (degree of) strictness depending on the respective situation and condition in each country,” Ms Retno said. Plans for the anchorage improvements at the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub would mean that the port could welcome cruise ships 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 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 up to 350m in length, that carry up to 6,000 passengers. At present Bali and Indonesia in general, do not feature high up the list as top cruise destinations. This is largely due to infrastructure restraints. Instead, many cruise operations offer their guests a taste of island life in the Caribbean or Europe. 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.

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 Bali Airport Celebrates Welcoming Over 4.2 Million Passengers In First Half Of 2022 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

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 Bali does cater to cruise travel, but the primary focus of the sec- exemption would apply for three years, before a normal tor has been on fast boats as a method of transportation, rather threshold of 3 per cent would be reinstalled for 2023 annual than an experience. In the Flores Islands and other parts of In- budget year. donesia, some companies offer sailing charters, but Bali has “(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)

tented to see boat travel as functional rather than experiential. Royal Caribbean International, a global leader in cruise travel, offered comparatively small boat cruise experiences to Bali before the pandemic. According to their booking website, they are currently only offering cruises in Asia that visit Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The management teams will develop the Bali Fish Market area and bring in a range of micro, small and medium enterprises to help boost employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for local people. Benoa Beach and Harbour is currently home to dozens of water and adventure sports outlets and is a popular destination for both international and domestic travelers. The plan for the development of the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub is a part of the government’s larger initiative to diversify tourism opportunities on the island. Authorities shared a breakdown of the figures which confirm that Bali is on track to hit Tourism Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno’s visitor targets by the end of the year. Minister Uno told the press during his weekly briefing on the 20th of June 2022 that he has set ambitious but achievable targets for tourism numbers for the rest of the year. He has set a target of welcoming 1.5 million international visitors to Bali before the end of the year, with the addition of 7 million domestic travelers. According to the Bali Tribune News, Bali Airport as a company has a target of serving over 9 million passengers in 2022.

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport has hit another passenger milestone in the last week of June. Authorities from the airport have released passenger data for the first six months of 2022, and as was hoped, numbers are considerably better than in 2020, and 2021. Over the course of June, Bali Airport welcomes a total of 1,110,723 passengers through both the domestic and international terminals. Looking at figures from the year to date, Bali Airport has served a total of 4,297,277 passengers across terminals.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’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.

“During June, there were five additional international schedules [resumed] to Dili, Hanoi, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne by Batik Air Malaysia, VietJet Air, Citilink, and Virgin Australia. In July, [so far] there are additional international routes to the Philippines by Philippine Airlines and South Korea by Korean Air’ Heryudhitiawan reported to the press. Bali Airport now serves 21 routes by 10 airlines, and 19 international routes, to 11 different countries making it increasingly easy for holidaymakers to get to Bali.

With IDR3.75 mill, visitors will be able to enter Komodo National Park’s 2 main islands all year long

Question: Would you pay IDR3.75 million (US$250) to visit Komodo National Park’s two main islands, Komodo and Padar, as many times as you want in a year? If your answer is yes, then this is probably good news for you as the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial government is set to go ahead with their plans to charge people “Our success in breaking the chain of coronavirus spread annually for visiting the two sites where Komodo dragons requires discipline and cooperation from everyone, not only the roam the earth. government, but also the public in heeding the instructions and suggestions from officials,” Rai Mantra said. Last week, a NTT’s tourism chief Sony Zeth Libing told reporters yester- nurse who tested positive for COVID-19 reportedly went day that the provincial government had requested the cen- home to Tabanan regency, prompting officials to trace her close contacts immediately.

tral government so they could implement the annual fee in order to maintain the sites’ ecosystem. Komodo Island and Padar Island are the two biggest islands of Komodo National Park. Another island famous for its dragons in the Park is Rinca Island. The park also includes 26 smaller islands. The 2019 proposed price was reportedly for foreign visitors only, while it remains unclear as to whether the IDR3.75 million annual fee is to be applied to foreigners or domestic visitors or both. The Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, and currently charges a fee of IDR150,000 (US$10.68) for foreign tourists and IDR5,000 (US$0.36) for domestic tourists on weekdays, though there are notably additional fees tourists may incur during their trip, including for trekking or snorkeling. At least 13 tourism agencies have spoken up about the new pricing plan, and, to say the least, they were not for it. Robert Waka, the deputy chief of the NTT chapter of the Indonesian Travel Agents Association, said over the weekend that they felt the new price would only cater to the middle-upper class and thus they hoped the government could reassess the plan.