Over a dozen foreign nationals in Canggu were fined for violating Bali’s mandatory mask rule yesterday, with authorities appearing to step up enforcement in the popular tourist area.
Police have received numerous tips from the public about health protocol violations in Canggu, according to Harri Sindu Nugroho from the Bali Police. The information prompted Sunday’s patrols, Harri said, in which 13 foreign nationals were caught without masks.
“We sanctioned them with IDR1 million (US$69) fines on the spot,” Harri said.
Authorities will continue to patrol areas popular among foreigners, he added, alluding to widespread reports during the pandemic that many foreigners in Bali, particularly those in more popular tourist areas such as Canggu and Ubud, don’t follow health protocols.
“We are hoping that all foreign nationals who are here and living in Bali, especially those in Denpasar city and its surrounding areas, respect and obey the health protocols that the government has put in place,” Harri said.
The immigration office in Bali said it may deport three foreigners, namely 26-year-old Irish national MR, 22-year-old US national AA, and 26-year-old Russian national ZK, for violating the mandatory mask rule in Bali. Eleven others were fined last Thursday after they were caught with their masks down in Canggu.
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