Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has confirmed that the influx of domestic visitors during the holiday season has caused a surge in Covid-19 cases.
During the Technical Coordination Meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs on Thursday (27/1), Koster admitted that the increase of domestic visitors during the year-end holiday season is the main contributor to the current surge of Covid-19 transmission in Bali.
“It’s true that after the holiday season ended, Covid-19 transmission in the island began to spike,” Koster said.
Bali has recorded a significant number of new Covid cases in the last few days, despite having a zero death rate from Covid-19 cases since the end of 2021.
“We have recorded an increase in cases over the last seven days. Yesterday alone, we recorded 139 new cases,” Koster added. However, he admitted that many domestic tourists have become less reluctant to travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We recorded an increase in the number of domestic visitors during the holiday season, though it was still 30 percent down from pre-pandemic numbers,” Koster concluded.
He also informed Bali residents and authorities that Covid-19 cases would keep on surging in the next few weeks, so officials must optimize the testing, tracing, and treatment program.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.
Dominic Murphy
Thursday 3rd of February 2022
Did the domestic tourist quarantine fir 5 days in 5 star hotels and on luxury ships,were they fully vaccinated did they have medical insurance. Generally, international tourists are fully vaccinated,so where is the risk in allowing them back to Bali,remove the visa requirements completely.
J West
Tuesday 1st of February 2022
Wow .... Who would have guessed that Covid positive people would release virus and sicken others?
Heinz Schirmaier
Monday 31st of January 2022
About time!
Andrew
Sunday 30th of January 2022
They don't want to let international tourists into Bali because they are worried about their image. If they had more concern about the hardships of the local people, than they did about their image, then we could move forward.
J West
Tuesday 1st of February 2022
@Andrew, I remember when Bali had no tourism...only a handful of Aussie surfers and a few traders buying handicrafts for boutiques in Europe and the US. There were so few foreigners in fact we all knew each other by first name. The Balinese were healthy and as spiritually happy as fresh found clams. The beauty and culture pristine and unspoiled, not a single scooter, influencer or tattoo to break the peace. Nothing but sublime bliss and jolly. Speaking for myself, I'd love to see that again.
Mat
Sunday 30th of January 2022
Gosh, I'm tired of reading all this nonsense.
Imagine, both vaxxed and not vaxxed are spreading the virus, but only vaxxed are allowed to DO THINGS, as if it made THINGS safer hahahaha
Really, is all the society so dumb? Truly frustrating. Well, sad at the same time. Touchingly sad.