The Bali provincial government has announced that despite the deadly global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the island remains ready to welcome and accommodate visitors from around the world.
“Bali is indeed very safe, and ready to welcome foreign visitors … No reason to worry at all,” Bali Governor Wayan Koster was quoted as saying in an official statement, issued after a special meeting on the coronavirus outbreak yesterday.
The statement also pointed to good monitoring and handling systems in the province, reaffirming that there is no reason to be concerned while visiting Bali. The system has reportedly been in place for years, notably after the 2003 SARS outbreak.
In addition, Vice Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, or Cok Ace, said that Bali will also accommodate tourists, especially those from China, who plan to extend their stay on the island because of the unexpected circumstances.
“We are open to tourists who want to extend their stay, especially Chinese citizens who may feel safer staying temporarily in Bali,” Cok Ace said, as quoted by state news agency Antara.
“Immigration will also be flexible to Chinese tourists who overstay [their visa],” he continued.
Starting tomorrow, Indonesia will begin restricting travelers coming from and going to mainland China, after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak as a global health emergency.
As of Tuesday morning, the death toll in China has exceeded 420, with the government reporting more than 20,000 confirmed cases. The virus has been detected in at least 25 other countries, though Indonesia has remained free of known infections thus far.
According to Bali Tourism Agency, citing data provided by the province’s Health Agency, more than 73,000 tourists from China have arrived in Bali since January 13. A total of 18 tourists were taken for further observation and lab tests, but have been cleared from suspicions of having contracted the coronavirus.
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