We are being overwhelmed with questions about the situation in Bali right now and is it still safe to go travelling to Bali during COVID-19.
While travelling during these times is an entirely personal decision and totally up to you, we can give you up to date information on what is happening in Bali during these times and how Bali is handling the situation.
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The news nobody has been waiting for… Bali will not open for international tourists on September 11th. A new circular from the Bali governor was released and it states that the Indonesian government does not allow international tourism as of yet. In line with that, the Indonesian government also still doesn’t allow Indonesians to travel abroad. At least until the end of 2020, as Indonesia is still a red-zone in the corona-crisis.
We are expecting to see domestic tourism taking off again and are hoping that international guests can travel to the island of Gods soon too!
The governor of Bali has released a 3-phase plan to reopen Bali for tourism again. Now, this is an update we’ve all been waiting for.
The announcement was made at the end of a mass prayer in Bali to ask for the permission, blessing, guidance, and protection of God. The governor has signed the decree right after the prayer and once it’s available we’ll publish it here. In short, this is what the re-opening plan looks like:
Phase 1 – July 9th, 2020:
Businesses open again for local people and expats living in Bali.
Phase 2 – July 31st, 2020:
Tourism attractions open again and Bali opens for domestic travel. Indonesian tourists will be welcomed to the island again.
Phase 3 – September 11th, 2020:
The island re-opens for international tourists.
The Indonesian government has issues an update on the current covid-19 situation in Indonesia. While it’s still not possible for tourists to arrive in Bali, domestic travelers and KITAS holders are now allowed to travel again.
CIRCULAR
NO 10925 of 2020
ON
CONTROLLING OF PEOPLE TRAVEL AT THE
ENTRANCE OF BALI AND COVID-19 CONTROL
ACCELERATION
With regards to the Circulation of the Task Force of Covid-19 Control Acceleration no: 4 of 2020 on the criteria of travel restrictions to accelerate the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Control; Governor of Bali has submitted the letter to Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, number: 550/3563/Dishub, of 18th May 2020 on the Controlling of Passengers at the Entrance of Bali.
Minister of Transportation of Indonesia has approved the submission of Governor of Bali, through the letter of Director General of Air Transportation number: Um.101/0002/DRJU.KSIHU-2020, of 20th May 2020 on Health Protocol Requirement through PCR test occurred at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and letter of Director General of Sea Transportation, number: Um.002/39/18/OJPL/2020, of 22nd May 2020 on: Health Protocol Requirement through PCR test at the port.
Based on these considerations, The Provincial Government of Bali issues the circulation on the controlling of people travel at the entrance of Bali and Covid-19 acceleration Control. The policy requires supportt from all parties to effectively accelerate the Covid-19 Control in Bali. We hereby state that:
This circulation letter is valid since 28th May .
Thus the letter to be considered and carried out with full of responsibilityuntil further notice subject to COVID-19 updates.
Circular Letter 730/9251/MP/BKD
Dated 20 April 2020
Adjustment of employee work systems in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Bali Province
Noting the development of situations and conditions relating to the spread of covid-19, hereby convey the following matters:
1. That the implementation period of work at home / residence is extended until May 13, 2020, and will be evaluated according to the development of the situation at the central and regional levels;
2. To achieve work targets and meet performance targets through work system adjustments, arrangements need to be made:
– Functional officials and administrative staff work at home with an assignment letter;
– To accelerate coordination in carrying out services and implementation of tasks while working at home / residence, must remain at home and other communication tools to remain active, and at any time if necessary immediately to the office ‘.
– Employees who are assigned to work at home, carry out work in accordance with their respective work plans by making daily reports and reporting work results to their respective superiors;
– To continue providing services to the community, so that each work unit applies a system of tasks in turn with regard to the Covid-19 Health Handling Protocol.
– Office security guards, drivers, cleaning services and garden workers work as usual;
– During the period of working at home, each head of work unit to ensure that employees do not take leave and going home, according to the Circular Letter of Minister of Foreign Affairs RB Number 36 2020, concerning the Limitation of Activities Going Out of the Region and / or ‘going home’ (mudik) and Leave Activities for ASN in Covid Prevention Efforts -19. If there is an ASN carrying out ‘going home’ (mudik) without permission, disciplinary punishment is given in accordance with the provisions of the legislation governing employee discipline.
Yesterday the Indonesian government has released a press statement summarizing the most recent updates in their effort to slow down the spread of the novel corona virus:
Today, Indonesia’s government has decided to ban all arrivals and transits by foreigners in Indonesia to prevent a further spread of the coronavirus.
Foreigners with stay permits and some diplomatic visits will be exempted from the ban.
We’ll keep you posted!
There has been a decision made by the Indonesian government that as of midnight March 20 Indonesia will no longer issue visa on arrival or paid visa on arrival for one month.
There are other conditions for residents or other types of pre-purchased visas, but for now this means no more tourists coming into Bali on the general entry visas on arrival for one month.
There ARE options for pre applying for other types of visas, we will update details on how to do this later in the week….but most tourists come in on the FREE entry or VOA which are both stopping for a month.
Click here to see the full list of additional measures.
There are local buffalo, horses, pigs, goats, dogs, and more. We saw a lot of animals everywhere we travelled, some wild and some being herded or taking care of. My favorite animal sighting was when we rode past a herd of buffalos that were bathing in a group in a roadside waterhole.
Many resorts have implemented temperature checks for both staff and guests. You will find hand sanitiser readily available throughout most resort and restaurants.
For sickness other than suspected COVID-19, medical centres and doctors are operating as usual. You can find a list of our recommended hospitals and clinics in our travel tips section (or by clicking the link).
Bali has been testing possible cases of COVID-19 for many weeks now, if you or someone in your group has a suspected case of COVID-19 please have your accommodation staff help you to call the COVID-19 Hotline on 112 or call ahead directly to Sanglah Hospital. Sanglah Hospital is currently in charge of all testing for the virus. Tests are sent to Jakarta and results are generally back between 48-72 hours.
Bali has set up multiple isolation wings dedicated to treating possible COVID-19 cases across their Government hospitals. We toured through the wing at Bali Mandara Hospital. This was being built as a cancer wing, but for now has been transformed for COVID-19 potential patients.
Bali is definitely quieter than usual, however there are still many tourists on the Island and continuing to arrive. Businesses, activities, restaurants and accommodation remain open for business. There is no panic buying happening at the supermarkets, so far life has continued as normal in Bali.
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Are you dreaming of a trip to Bali, or maybe you are already planning a trip to The Island of Gods?
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