Newsroom

Summary of main points of the announcement by  Bali Governor Wayan Koster with National TVRI on Saturday (3/28/2020).

 1. Bali Governor Wayan Koster has taken a number of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 transmission, one of which is through calls for people to stay at home and limit or postpone travel to and from Bali.  According to him this step is an important part of efforts to minimize interaction between individuals and community groups who are at risk of spreading COVID-19.

 2. Regarding the restrictions on the entry of foreign tourists through airport closures, this step has not been taken.  But he added that a number of countries had indeed taken the policy of closing the airport so that automatically there would be no flights to Indonesia or Bali from these countries.  To close an airport or port, of course, we must follow the directions and policies of the central government.  If it is closed to all accesses, I think it is a lockdown policy whose authority is in the central government.  We do not do that, because it is not an authority (us, red).  What we do is restricting residents out of their homes or participating in activities that are attended by many people.

 3. With regard to the readiness of the hospital for handling COVID-19 patients, in Bali the cumulative number of PDPs is now as many as 130 people.  Of these 87 negative COVID-19 as many as 87 people have gone out, returned home declared healthy.  There were 9 positive COVID-19 patients, 4 foreigners, 5 citizens.  There are still 38 people being treated in hospitals, both in Sanglah and 10 government hospitals spread across districts/cities.  We still have adequate isolation space available in case there are additional positive patients.

 4. In line with that, hearing input from various parties, we have prepared the PTN Udayana Hospital as an isolation center for COVID-19 patients, as well as a prevention center.  The PTN Udayana Hospital, which will be functioning on April 7, is still in preparation.  If it is ready, then we will stop other regional hospitals that are currently treating COVID-19 patients, so that their spread can be localized, not spread to various regions.  Thus the management of COVID-19 in Bali is localized which is only centered at the Udayana PTN Hospital.

 5. In connection with the facilities needed regarding the handling of COVID-19, we have received assistance from the central government in the form of PPE, which is 4000 units, shipment of 3,800 units of rapid test kits.  That is only phase 1, which will be sent again at the next stage.  We have distributed these tools directly through the Task Force to the referral hospital that is handling COVID-19.

 6. Rapid tests began yesterday, prioritizing medical staff serving in the referral hospital to ensure that these medical personnel are truly healthy.  We also prioritize Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) returning from various countries.  The quarantined PMI had undergone a rapid test, the results were negative and they were given a health certificate and were allowed to return to their respective homes to further carry out independent isolation.

 7. Rapid test results come out within 15 minutes so it does not take long to find out the results.  According to information from doctors, the accuracy rate is 99 percent.

 8. Regarding the closure of tourist destinations, we have written to regents / mayors in Bali on March 23 this year to close tourism objects in their respective regions.  The regent / mayor has followed the policy that I have given so that now all major tourist destinations have been closed.

 9. The Ministry of Health has allowed Sanglah Hospital to do a Swab test.  We have prepared facilities for this, such as medical staff so that starting on March 26, Sanglah Hospital has conducted a Swab test for PDP COVID-19.  Thus, the results of the examination can be known more quickly.  So far it has been sent first to Jakarta and Surabaya.  Results are long because of queuing.  Now do it independently at Sanglah.

 10. Regarding PMI's return, we received information from the Embassy that they would return.  We anticipate, coordinating with travel airlines, sending agents to the LN then checking the departure schedule to Bali.  Arriving at Ngurah Rai Airport, according to the procedure must go through a special lane, show a healthy certificate.  If you show a healthy certificate and do not come from an infected country, you are allowed to go home.  If you come from an infected country, you must be quarantined, examined, if the result is healthy or negative, then you can go home, if you are sick, be isolated in the hospital.  So far, most of the thousands who have returned, only 41 have been quarantined, none have been positive, all are negative and may return.  Tonight there is still something to come.

 11. Regarding the possibility of Bali implementing a local lockdown, as adopted by a number of regions, we are waiting for direction and policy from the central government because it is in accordance with the direction of the President's policy.  But we, even though we have not yet implemented a total lock down, have maximally limited the movement of residents out of the house, with appeals to work at home, study at home and outside restrictions except for needs that are truly urgent or because they have special interests.  It is forbidden to visit crowded places, entertainment centers in districts/cities.  We ask to postpone the plan to go outside Bali.  Control the citizens out so that the risk of spread can be controlled and limited.

 12. Are there sanctions for residents who are still gathered?  We have issued an appeal for customary and religious activities to be followed by a maximum of 25 people, if we are more tasked with traditional villages and pecalang to limit.  On March 26, assisted by the police, the disciplinary community did not leave the house.  Until now residents who go outside the house are very rare.  The streets in all parts of Bali are quiet, so are the deserted supermarkets, quiet restaurants, the appeals that we provide are going well.  This is all thanks to the support of Mr. Pangdam, the Regional Police Chief and other parties, especially regents / mayors throughout Bali and traditional villages who are carrying out their duties properly so that the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in the Province of Bali runs well and effectively.