Following the emergence of new, highly transmissible variants of COVID-19 overseas, Bali authorities have increased screening and safety measures at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Primarily, airport authorities are executing strenuous health protocols in every corner of the airport area.
The Stakeholder Relations Manager of Ngurah Rai Airport, Taufan Yudhistira noted that as the main gateway into the island, the airport is responsible for preventing the transmission of all variants of COVID-19.
The airport has carried out safety efforts such as preparing a thermal scanner. “We need to be more alert by adding screening measures,” said Yudhistira.
Second, airport staff thoroughly reviews test documents and the Electronic Health Alert Card (e-HAC) from each passenger upon arrival.
“Our supervision team will check all documents required such as e-HAC, swab test result, or rapid antigen test result while reminding them to comply with the prevention protocols in Bali,” Yudhistira added.
He also said that the airport will cooperate with the Port’s Health Office (KKP) Class I Denpasar to support the program.
Meanwhile, in response to the new variant of coronavirus, the Head of Bali Health Agency, Dr. Ketut Suarjaya claims that the COVID-19 vaccines currently being administered from Sinovac and Biofarma are quite effective in preventing its transmission.
“According to the observation, the current vaccines we are receiving are also able to prevent the mutated virus transmission,” Dr. Suarjaya said.
Bali received 10,120 doses of vaccine supply on Saturday morning (6/3) to be soon distributed to its residents.
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Randy
Wednesday 10th of March 2021
@Paul Morris, There is nothing wrong to increase health safety measures at major points of entry. Indonesia needs to protect the whole vast country from the foreign highly transmissible variants of covid-19 with whatever means possible.
How would you know locals are starving without any help?? "Use the money to feed your people" it sounds like a narrative from "Linda Hunt" in the 1982 romantic drama film the year of living dangerously. No need to stereotype nor underestimate of what Indonesia is capable today to provide its citizens through different initiatives.
Tourism in Bali was the income for many in the past. During this pandemic, many quickly learned that Bali is not only about tourism. Returning to basics!! Before Bali was developed in the early days to cater to the UK and Australian tourists, working on the lands was a way of life.
The agricultural business today can also provide life support for the people only if they work hard and discover the real potential of the island. Even though the tourism sector has collapsed, Balinese people will not starve. Indonesians have been known to be resilient folks during bad times and during a natural disaster.
Randy
Friday 12th of March 2021
@Paul Morris, Great news. Thanks for sharing. As far as I know the ordinary Indonesian people are found to be resilient and they will create an initiative to make ends meet during a crisis. Each region in Indonesia is practically different with how the approach has been at the beginning and during the pandemic.
The Aussie aid to rescue Bali remains to be seen and how well it will evenly be distributed. Besides that the Australian media covering Indonesia and people to people relationship have not always been cordial on both sides of the aisle. After the Bali Bombing of 2002 all hell broke lose...the perception of Indonesia has been targeted unfairly. Improvement has been made but it is not entirely enough.
Perception & Reality: The Australian Media & Indonesia. January 20, 2021. It may be of interest to take a look: www.asiamediacentre.org.nz
Thanks mate...
Paul Morris
Thursday 11th of March 2021
@Randy, How do I know that the Balinese people are starving, our Balinese friends mum dad and 3 girls 8,4 and 1 whom we have known for many years as we go to Bali every year for 4 weeks and have done so for the last 15 years, have since the start of the pandemic received a tray of eggs cooking oil 15kg of rice and some yams yes that is all from their regency in 12 months. They live in Denpasar so there is little hope of them farming on concrete their family have lived in Denpasar for generations , their grandfather fought against the Dutch colonial rulers as did many Balinese people. Your right about Indonesian people being very resilient just as they were after the Bali bombings and Mount Agung volcano eruption but this is different this pandemic has brought Bali to its knees and it will be very difficult to recover from the magnitude of losses. Not sure if you are aware that 4 months ago the Australian government gave the Indonesian government $1.2 billion to help with the Covid-19 situations I know for a fact that very little of this money as been seen in Bali to help the people that matter.
So to finish up we like many Australians have been sending money to our friends hoping that they can survive until things get better for the beautiful Balinese people.
Terima Kasih Banyak ( thank you very much)
Paul Morris
Monday 8th of March 2021
Don’t waste the money on this crap, no one is coming to Bali until the virus has been eliminated and the only way to do that is to get everyone vaccinated ASAP . Use the money to feed your people they are starving,12 months without any help is an absolute disgrace to me it looks like you don’t care one bit if they live or die.
Wayan Bo
Monday 8th of March 2021
scientists are already pronouncing brand new COVID mutation, called Oregon mutation, discovered in Oregon, USA.