New Delhi (NVI): Indonesia’s resort island of Bali today officially reopened to domestic tourists after almost four-month lockdown in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
This is the second phase of the multistage reopening policy introduced by the Bali’s governor I Wayan Koster, who has been impatient to revive the economy and began easing restrictions on public activities three weeks ago.
Under the easing that will come into effect from today, Indonesians visiting Bali will face strict rules at hotels, restaurants and beaches.
On July 9, the first phase started with the reopening of the island’s tourist attractions and facilities solely for the island’s own residents.
In the third phase of reopening, foreign tourists will be allowed on the island beginning September 11. The regulation prohibiting the entrance of foreigners into Indonesian territory is an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
However, tourism is the main source of income for Bali, which had 6 million tourists from abroad and 10 million from Indonesia last year but the pandemic has caused the numbers to dive.
In addition to this, Indonesia Tourism Minister Wishnutama said that the world is watching closely, and the success of Bali in reopening its tourism will greatly influence our efforts to resurrect Indonesian tourism.
As of today, the cumulative number of coronavirus cases in Bali has reached 3,360 with 48 deaths.
Bali scores a recovery rate of 82.98 percent, the second-highest in Indonesia, after West Sumatra.
-RJV
