Bali will welcome back tourists in September as part of the gradual reopening of the Indonesian resort island’s economy after lockdowns to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, its government said yesterday.
Government offices, temples, markets and other public places in Bali will be reopened on Thursday in the first phase of reopening, the Bali governor’s office said.
Tourists from other parts of Indonesia will be allowed to visit the island at the end of July, it said.
“In the third phase, the wider reopening of the tourism sector, including to foreign visitors, will start on September 11,” the office said in a statement.
“I urge that all health protocols are implemented during all three phases in a disciplined, orderly and responsible manner,” Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said.
“These include the requirements to wear masks, observe social distancing and wash hands,” he said.
Indonesia recorded 1,209 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, taking the national tally to 64,95.
Seventy additional fatalities brought the death toll to 3,241.
Bali has so far recorded 1,900 confirmed cases, with 23 deaths.
Indonesia began to gradually reopen its economy last month and, since then, the number of daily cases has been consistently above 1,000.
The capital Jakarta still maintains some travel and social restrictions following the emergence of new cases that were traced to traditional markets and trains.
People wearing protective face masks amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, make their way during rush hour at a train station in Jakarta yesterday.
