ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW WHILE YOU STUCK IN BALI

Some people lose, but so many find something to contemplate that implies all of this. Quoted on
honeycombers, and no matter how hard you try, there’s no escaping the news of the global
Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, even here in Bali. But there are ways to avoid getting sick, and more
importantly, ways to reduce the spread of the virus. If you’re currently in Indonesia or have an
upcoming holiday planned to Bali, you’re no doubt wondering, “is Bali safe“, or “is Indonesia on
lockdown?”.

Well, the simple answer is that Indonesia is still safe for those who are fit, healthy and following
correct hygiene and isolation procedures, but to help minimise the spread of the virus, you should
consider rescheduling any upcoming trips until the pandemic is under control. Furthermore, as of
Friday 20th March, Indonesia suspended all Visas on Arrival, and encouraged visitors to return to
their home countries. As of Friday 24th April, all air and sea travel has been temporarily banned until
earliest 1st June.

To give you a better idea of the current COVID-19 situation in both Bali & Indonesia, here we dive
into what the virus means for visitors to Indonesia (including expats and holidaymakers who are still
here), and the necessary precautions and preventive measures to take when travelling to Bali.

What is the current Coronavirus situation in Bali & Indonesia?

As of today (24th April 2020), Indonesia is currently at Level 3 on the risk-level assessment, with 186
confirmed cases in Bali, and a total of 8882 confirmed cases throughout Indonesia. Top tip: you can
track live updates of confirmed cases country-by-country here, or follow Indonesia-specific
statistics here.)

That being said, Indonesia has reportedly only tested a small number of patients, so the number of
confirmed cases is likely inaccurate. What’s more, tests have predominantly been conducted in and
around Jakarta, so other islands within Indonesia are not guaranteed to be Coronavirus-free. So, in
order to keep yourself safe and to minimise your risk of catching the virus (or any other kind of
illness for that matter) remain vigilant and take the initiative to self-isolate as much as possible to
help flatten the curve and curb the spread of the disease.

What are the current visa restrictions in Bali?

As of March 20th 2020, the Indonesian government suspended all Visas On Arrival until further
notice. This means that only those with official visas granted from overseas embassies will be
allowed entry, and visas will only be granted to those applicants who submit health certificates from
relevant authorities. For more information on which visas are accepted, contact your nearest
Indonesian Embassy.

Furthermore, any foreign travellers who have visited the following countries in the last 14 days will
be denied entry: Iran, Italy, Vatican, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Should your passport or travel history indicate that you’ve travelled to the countries above in the
last 14 days, you may be refused entry to Indonesia.

For Indonesian citizens currently overseas, the government is urging you to return home
immediately. Additional screening shall be carried out, and for suspected cases of COVID-19, a 14-
day observation in a government facility will be applied. If no symptoms are found, a 14-day self-
quarantine will be strongly recommended.

Update: As of Friday 24th April, all air and sea travel has been temporarily banned. All flights
(domestic and international) are banned until 1st June 2020; sea travel is banned until 8th June
2020; and railway travel until 15th June 2020. Cargo transport (including food & medical supplies)
will continue, as will special travel exemptions (e.g repatriation flights).

We get it – travelling right now is a no-no, with many countries currently on lockdown. But it’s not all
doom and gloom. If you’re healthy and you’re already in Indonesia and planning on staying (or can’t
make it home), then there are plenty of positives to keep in mind. Here’s a few to consider:

A ray of hope (& sunshine). It’s been suggested that warmer climates may ward off the virus better
than countries with cold weather, so if this is true, then there’s no better place to be than right here
in sunny Bali. Check out Bali’s quiet beaches, or self-isolate in the sunshine at your sun-soaked villa
or hillside hotel.

GO-JEK is a godsend. Thanks to Indonesia’s app-based delivery service, self-isolation has never been

easier. Download this app and you’ll have access to food from your favourite cafes and restaurants,
and you can even shop remotely at your local supermarket or pharmacy thanks to the Go-Jek
superheroes. Need to buy groceries, clothes or household goods? Try these online retailers.

Isolation by design. Compared to most western countries with their densely populated cities and
close-living quarters, Bali’s wide open spaces and often palatial accommodation makes social-
distancing a tropical breeze. If there’s anywhere in the world to avoid coming into contact with the
masses, it’s here…
Affordable travel. Right now, there’s plenty of deals and discounts on hotels if you’re planning on
self-isolating on the island, including awesome stays surrounded by nature. And while you’re there,
we recommend supporting small local businesses who’ll be struggling through the economic
downturn. Eat local food, shop Bali-born brands, and choose a humble guesthouse, Bali villas or even
independent hotel over an international chain.

STUCK IN BALI? SUPPORT AND HELP LOCAL BUSINESS NOW AND GET MORE INTOUCH TO A
FRIENDLY PACKAGE 5 SENSES HOSPITALITY VILLAS.

These tips down below may seems obvious but simply put a big guarding for us,

Wash your hands frequently with soap. This may seem obvious, but it’s about time we all started
washing our hands properly. That means thoroughly lathering the backs of your hands, in-between
your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub for at least 20 seconds (or for as long as it takes to hum the
“Happy Birthday” song twice) and then dry your hands with a clean towel. Use a hand sanitiser if you
can’t wash your hands immediately.

Avoid contact with live animals, poultry and birds. That means that your visit to the zoo needs to be
put on hold for a while, and that sushi and sashimi you’ve been craving? You might want to wait on
that also, because the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended against the
consumption of raw or undercooked meat. (Psst – luckily Bali is home to some awesome plant-based
restaurants if you really want to be safe…)

Avoid crowded places and contact with people who are unwell. Yup, unfortunately it’s not the best
time to rub shoulders with the masses at one of Bali’s biggest nightclubs – but that doesn’t mean
you can’t make the most of Bali’s secluded destinations and off-the-beaten path adventures. Self-
quarantining? Try these fun things to do at home.
Down with a fever, cough or the flu? Wear a mask and seek medical attention right away. If you
haven’t been able to get your hands on a mask, cover your mouth with tissue paper whenever you
cough or sneeze, and dispose of the tissue in a rubbish bin immediately. Psst… there’s no need to
wear a mask if you’re well – save it for incase you need it.

Boost your immunity. A good one to practice not only during an outbreak but in everyday life too:
boost your health and look after your immune system. Slurp on juices and coconuts (or even try one
of Bali’s best juice cleanses), clock in enough exercise with an online class from one of Bali’s best
gyms or yoga studios, and treat yourself to some stress-melting pampering with an at-home
massage from one of Bali’s best spas. Top tip: try Indonesia’s age-old elixir of Jamu – a potent
mixture of turmeric, tamarind, and sometimes ginger, lime and honey too. It’s an immunity-boosting
traditional medicine that Indonesians swear by!

Check your travel and health insurance. If you booked your Bali holiday before the Coronavirus
outbreak, chances are, your insurance is still valid. For everyone else, you will need to confirm with
your provider to determine whether any COVID-related issues will be covered – that includes
medical treatment, flight cancellations, and even accommodation allowances if you happen to be
held up anywhere. Luckily, many airlines and hotels are waiving cancellation fees and honouring
refunds.

Leave the toilet roll behind. Sorry, but panic-buying is not the answer when it comes to an outbreak.
Emptying the shelves by excessively buying day-to-day products (whether that be toilet roll, soap,
masks or hand sanitiser) is simply dangerous. Panic-buying limits stock for people who actually need
it (e.g hospitals, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and the elderly) and it also drives up
normal prices, leaving the poor in jeopardy too. Just buy what you need, and leave the rest for
others.

Listen to WHO & CDC. With so much misinformation and media hype out there, it’s important to
listen to reputable sources. For all accurate updates, travel advice and support, check out WHO
Indonesia and the Official CDC website.

It’s relatively straightforward. Outbreak or not, observing basic personal hygiene is key and being
socially responsible is pretty obvious. With a little initiative and awareness, we can kick the Novel
Coronavirus in the butt and continue enjoying life in paradise…