Bali beaches still off-limits
Bali officials will shut down two beaches that were briefly opened on Monday for ‘foreign surfers’.
Bali officials will shut down two beaches that were briefly opened on Monday for “foreign surfers”.
Governor I Wayan Koster clarified that instructions to shut tourist destinations because of the coronavirus pandemic, still applies until further notice.
“We have not reopened our tourism yet. The decision (to open those beaches) must be revoked,” Mr Koster said. “I will inform the local tourism agency.”
Previously, Badung tourism agency welcomed only foreign surfers to Canggu Beach and Labuan Sait Beach. Local authorities emphasised the beaches were off-limits to domestic tourists and non-surfers. Surfers will have to undergo temperature checks and wear face masks, they said.
Earlier this week, agency head I Made Badra said he felt sympathy for foreign nationals stranded in Bali and may be stressed due to restrictions.
“As hosts we should let them enjoy a little, for the sake of humanity and for our image,” Mr Badra said on Monday.
Many visitors tried to access beaches by walking through bushes, rather than the designated entrances, he added..
“They may get hurt or bitten by snakes. So we would rather allow foreign surfers to enjoy the beach for two hours or so … we are giving them a little leniency as long as they follow health protocols,” he had said, encouraging surfers to “enjoy championship waves”.
The tourism agency asked residents to be patient and refrain from going to the beach.
Bali recorded one of Indonesia’s first coronavirus deaths in early March; travel restrictions and shutdown of public spaces followed within the month. Some tourists have been stuck in Bali for three months, Mr Badra said.
The province has had relative success in controlling the rate of transmission thanks to its traditional village systems, which are guarded by “pecalang”, or voluntary security officers.
Bali has 487 positive COVID-19 cases, with five deaths.
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