What would you do if you were thousands of miles away from home when a pandemic hits? Would you pack your bags and get on the next flight home? Or would you consider staying where you are, hoping things will improve soon? 

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Banyuwangi, East Java is a patient with a travel history to Bali prior to her illness, officials say, with dozens more people currently being monitored for the viral disease in the regency having also arrived from the island recently.

Over 300 Indonesian crew members from the MSC Splendida cruise ship reportedly did not undergo quarantine upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport despite having flown in from Genoa, Italy on Monday night.

Bali Police is working with Udayana University to turn traditional Balinese liquor, known as arak, into disinfectants and hand sanitizers, as supply of the cleaners dwindles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Across communities, hand sanitizers and disinfectants are widely regarded as effective tools to fight the novel coronavirus, although experts and the World Health Organization (WHO) are still putting proper hand washing and physical distancing among their primary recommendations in preventing infections.

Dozens of members of Bali’s Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) have taken it upon themselves to represent the people and undergo rapid testing for the novel coronavirus, sparking sarcastic comments and criticism from local residents across social media platforms.