The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia is preparing for the implementation of a recovery plan in the tourism industry, and Bali will be the first destination assigned as the locomotive region for the whole country. The preparation has been done in a mindful and attentive manner in order to make sure that the future visitors will get the most convenient visit by the time they return to Bali.
One of the most important factors that is highlighted in the preparation is the strict implementation of health protocols. In order to provide the most convenient welcome to future visitors, there are many variations of health protocols from related parties that are being rigorously implemented in Bali, especially in three green zones assigned by the government: Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua. It is important to note that the health protocols that are implemented are based on standards determined by health authority and international standards.
INDONESIA CARE MOVEMENT
Since 2020, The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has been running a movement called InDOnesia CARE, which serves to promote the value of Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) together in Indonesian tourism destinations during the period of COVID-19. In this movement, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy acts by providing guidance and supervision regarding the implementation of health protocols in tourism-related businesses.
It is reported that currently, there are approximately 1,006 tourism stakeholders in Bali that have been granted InDOnesia CARE certification by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. 855 more businesses are also targeted to receive the same certification by the end of 2021. The list includes hotels and non-hotels including restaurants, homestay villas, nature tourism, shopping centers, transportation services, and diving tours. This means that they have met the required standard for the protocol implementation.
Aside from the InDOnesia CARE movement, COVID-19 Task Force is also taking part in the guidance and supervision of health protocol implementation in tourism-related businesses, including in Bali.
SAFE TRAVEL STAMP BY THE WORLD TRAVEL AND TOURISM COUNCIL
Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali has become one of 15 airports in Indonesia that has been granted Safe Travel Stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council since August 2020. This stamp is obtained after Angkasa Pura I, the state-owned company managing the airports in Indonesia, sends the airport health protocol to the agency for complete assessment. According to the Director of Angkasa Pura I Fahmi Faik, the Safe Travels Stamp is meant to show the public and tourism stakeholders that Angkasa Pura I has consistently implemented health protocols related to preventing the spread of COVID-19, which in this case refers to Safe Travels WTTC dan ICAO Takeoff Guideline for Aviation protocol.
GOVERNOR’S DECREE
On 4 April 2021, Bali Governor Wayan Koster issued a Governor’s Decree No. 10 Year 2021 regarding the Application of Discipline and Law Enforcement of COVID-19 Health Protocol in Bali. The decree imposes strict regulations not only for local but also international travelers who are going to travel to Bali in the future. Some of the important things mentioned are the obligation to wear a mask in public places, one-meter rule of social distancing, and washing hands frequently in sink facilities or by using hand sanitizer.
The decree also mentioned that the Bali government will assemble a COVID-19 monitoring and enforcement team which consists of Provincial Civil Service Police Unit and can also involve Traditional Village Mutual Cooperation Task Force (pecalang), Police, and/or military. This team will later execute patrol and control operations to take action against individuals or tourism businesses who commit violations to health protocols. The actions consist of:
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY
While visiting the Sanur Beach area in Denpasar on Saturday, 10 April 2021, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno stated that the COVID-19 prevention health protocol will be strictly implemented in the green zone in the Bali region. "We have to extensively monitor people's compliance with health protocols." said Sandiaga Uno.
He said that the ministry will also intensify socialization and education to all people, especially those in the green zone, to continue to comply with health protocols in order to continue to suppress the Covid-19 infection rate. "There will be sanctions for those who commit violations. Regarding international travelers, we won't hesitate to deport them if they refuse to comply with health protocols," he said.
The important thing to this tourism recovery preparation is to make sure that the convenience and wellbeing of the international travelers visiting Bali will always be at number one priority. All the strict measurements that are implemented are solid proof that InDOnesia CARE for the comfortable return of its visitors to Bali.
