Bali Ready to Welcome Indonesian Tourists on July 31

DENPASAR, KOMPAS.com – Bookmark this: Bali plans to reopen to Indonesian tourists on July 31.

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster announced the decision of the Bali provincial government during a virtual meeting with officials from Bali’s sub-districts, village offices, and village heads on July 1.

The decision to realize the plan depends on how effective reopening the island is to Bali residents scheduled for July 9.

On July 9, Bali is expected to allow non-tourism and non-education businesses to reopen.

Read also: A Trip to Bali May Have to Wait until July 2020

It will selectively restart operations for its tourist attractions in order to avoid new sources of infections.

I Wayan Koster emphasized that a vaccine has yet to be discovered for the Covid-19 virus.

“It has been more than three months and we cannot keep forbidding people from moving around or closing their businesses as it affects the economy. As such, we have to think of a scheme where daily life can return to normal,” said the Bali Governor in a written statement.

Read also: Bali Tourism Remains Closed Amid Pandemic

I Wayan said that the return of daily life in the new normal period requires proper management of the Covid-19 virus.

He has also called for officials of Bali’s sub-districts, village offices, and village heads to introduce public measures on adherence to Covid-19 health protocols.

The Bali Governor pointed out that the new normal period should not be understood as returning to pre-pandemic normal.

Hence, he stressed the importance of enforcing strict Covid-19 health protocols.

“There cannot be any crowds, people must wear masks, and regularly wash their hands. No nighttime entertainment, spectacles, let alone cockfights,” said I Wayan Koster.

Bali forms special task force

The Bali provincial government has formed a special task force to bring down the number of Covid-19 infections in traditional markets.

These markets are managed by the government and local village heads.

Chairman of Bali’s Covid-19 Task Force Dewa Made Indra shared that the special task force combines members of the Indonesian Army, National Police, traditional villages, and the province’s Industry and Trade Agency.

The objective is to monitor and discipline the market’s vendors and visitors in implementing the health protocols.

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Part of its job is to educate the public about Covid-19 health protocols.

The goal is to break the chain of transmission in the island’s traditional markets.

Dewa expressed the difficulties in enforcing the health protocols, but also the urgency given that Bali’s traditional markets are dominated by older women who are categorized under vulnerable groups. 

(Writer: Bali Contributor, Imam Rosidin | Editor: Robertus Belarminus, Dheri Agriesta) 

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/07/02/14193631/bali-rencana-buka-pariwisata-untuk-wisatawan-nusantara-31-juli

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/07/01/22293651/tekan-penularan-covid-19-di-pasar-tradisional-pemprov-bali-bentuk-satgas