Bali gov’t declares state of emergency, restricts access as positive COVID-19 cases almost double
The Bali provincial government has declared a state of emergency for the island after announcing nine additional positive cases of COVID-19 yesterday, which included three cases of local transmissions.
Dewa Made Indra, regional secretary of the Bali administration, told a live press conference that the status upgrade would enable officials and law enforcement authorities to strengthen their approach in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Bali.
As of yesterday afternoon, Bali confirmed 19 positive cases of the novel coronavirus, including two deaths of foreign nationals and two recoveries. The province has also recorded 146 patients under observation thus far.
The nine additional positive cases announced yesterday consisted of one foreign national and eight Balinese.
“From eight positive cases of Balinese people, three of them are [cases of] local transmission … This is proof that if we don’t apply physical distancing with others, chances of being infected are that much higher,” Indra said.
“What this means for the people in Bali is to trust the government’s advisories to reduce activities outside the home as best as possible, which requires discipline. If it is not followed then chances are local transmissions will occur again.”
In addition, the provincial government has moved to restrict access for those seeking to enter Bali, be it through various ports across the island or the Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Indra explained that extreme monitoring will be put in place, and that only logistics purposes or health and COVID-19-related matters as well as “extremely important” personal reasons will be allowed to enter Bali.
Furthermore, the provincial government has also extended their policy for civil servants and students, who are now expected to continue working and studying from home until at least April 21.
Indonesia has confirmed 1,414 positive cases of COVID-19, including 122 deaths and 75 recoveries.
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