deportation for violating health protocols in bali

After increasing reported number of violations of foreigners refusing to follow corona virus health protocols since last few months, Immigration has warned that visitors may get deported if they do not take the health protocols seriously.

Eko Budianto, who is heading the immigration department at Bali office for the Ministry of He of Law and Human Rights, said authorities have recorded data of foreigners who have been caught without masks or violating other health protocols in the province.

“So if they continue to violate the rules, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of us acting on the matter by deporting them,” Eko said yesterday, as quoted by Detik. 

He further explained that under Indonesia's 2011 immigration law, officials of immigration have the right to implement Administrative Act from Immigration if they deem that foreign nationals are conducting activities that are dangerous and endanger safety and public order or being 

disrespectful and disobeying the law. These acts include the cancellation of stay permits and deportation, among others.

“When they violate [health protocols] it’s clear that they are violating the law, we can send them home or deport them,” Eko added.

Mandatory mask enforcing law was forced in September to control the spread of corona virus which also subjected the violators either a fine of IDR100,000 (US$7.11) or social sanctions if they are caught without masks in public. Badung Agency authorities also shared the stats recently which showed that 80% of the violators are foreign nationals.

In January, between 11-18 71 out of 74 violators were foreign nationals as well. 

Wayan Koster, the Governor of Bali also announced that anyone without mask will be denied entry to tourist spots, restaurants and shopping malls. as officials are looking into the possibility of subjecting foreign nationals to higher fines if they are caught without masks.