Newly-appointed Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has sparked controversy in Bali in the past when he suggested tapping into the island’s potential for “halal tourism,” but the politician has set the record straight by saying that he has canned the idea.

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster says he’s optimistic about the revival of international tourism on the island during a meeting with the newly-appointed Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno yesterday, despite rising COVID-19 cases in the country.

A new ferry route was opened on Christmas Day, linking the Ketapang Ferry Port in Banyuwangi, East Java directly to Lembar in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), taking away the need to transit in Bali in between the journey.

Schools across Indonesia can reopen and conduct face-to-face learning starting in January, but officials in Denpasar say they’re postponing until at least March due to high COVID-19 transmission rate in the city.

The story of a Russian tourist allegedly stranded in Bali due to the COVID-19 pandemic is making its rounds among Indonesians on social media, with netizens expressing both sympathy and skepticism over his circumstance.