A Bali tourism analyst has urged the Indonesian President to reopen the tourism sector in Bali by the 17th of August 2021.
As a response to the recent statement from the central government through the Maritime and Investment Coordinator Minister to start gradually reopening the economic activity in September 2021, Bali tourism analyst and practitioner, I Wayan Puspa Negara stated that the central government might consider reopening the tourism sector in Bali even sooner. “I proposed that the President should start reopening our tourism sector on August 17th, as a present to Bali while celebrating our independence day.” Puspa Negara said on Tuesday (3/8).
Negara also said that several different areas in Bali such as Kuta, Legian and Seminyak have completed all the requirements to reopen their businesses and start operating normally. “All of our tourism businesses have prepared with proper prevention protocols to operate and they have passed the Clean, Health, Safety and Environment (CHSE) certification process. Apart from those areas, Bali provincial government has also successfully distributed the Covid-19 vaccine to 100% of the residents in three green zone areas – Ubud, Sanur and Nusa Dua.
Negara also proposed the government to revise the 8:00pm curfew to help businesses such as cafes and restaurants to receive more customers during their operation. Meanwhile the Head of Bali Tourism Agency, I Putu Astawa agreed that the Bali tourism sector must reopen in the near future as Bali has already completed all the requirements from the central government to operate normally. Apart from the CHSE certificate and green zone areas of Covid-19, our airport is also ready to receive more tourists as we have already created proper procedures in handling the influx of the visitors upon their arrival.” Astawa said. Astawa also claimed that the distribution of the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Bali is expected to finish in the near future. “If all goes as planned, we estimate that we will finish distributing the second dose of the vaccine to over 70% of our population by September 2021. We really hope that the tourism sector will be able to operate by then.” Astawa concluded.
