'siaga' advisory set by bali to keep up govt's covid-19 curbing policy

An advisory level of Siaga (watch) for Bali province was set on Sunday by the administration on the popular resort Island of Bali. This advisory is set as a part of the provincial administration's effort to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), Corona has affected the tourism in Bali as strong as it has affected the world.

Dewa Made Indra, Bali Administration Secretary who has also been appointed as the Chairman of the province's COVID-19 task force, confirmed that the decision to declare the advisory was taken on Sunday evening in a combined meeting led by  I Wayan Koster the Governor of Bali.

“The Bali administration had a meeting last night [Sunday] to respond to the President’s instruction [...] and we have decided to take several actions. We issued the Siaga advisory level to manage [the spread of] COVID-19,” Dewa said on Monday.

On Sunday President Jokowi also addressed the nation through a call and advised to take the necessary measures of "social distancing" to prevent and limit direct interaction in battling the viral respiratory disease. In his address, the President also urged the nation's citizens to stay at home, excepting urgent matters.

Dewa said that following the advisory Bali Administration has also urged residents and tourists across the Island to minimize their public outing and mass gatherings. They also called for the schools/colleges/universities to implement online learning to avoid any unfortunate event that can contribute further to the pandemic.

“Learning activities at all schools, from kindergarten to university, will be held online from home,” he said.

All government institutions have postponed the meetings, workshops and seminars in adhering to the policy. They have also barred the civil officials from traveling domestically or internationally on official trips.

The policy is to become effective starting Tuesday for the next 14 days as the administration rushes to inform the public.

Dewa added that the provincial administration would evaluate the policy after the two-week period. He also advised everyone to follow the policy and stay at home.

“Everyone should remain calm, don't panic, but keep maintaining healthy lifestyles to boost their immune system,” he said.

Dewa has also admitted that at the moment there are no instructions from the central government on closing down the tourist places in Bali.

He further said that policy main goal is to minimize the public gathering or number of visitors on a tourist site. A circular has been issued to the tourist management sites to be vigilant and ensure safe hygiene practices along with regular hourly disinfection.

“We will not close tourist destinations,” stressed Dewa.

Regarding ongoing tourist arrivals to the island, both overseas and domestic, Dewa said that the provincial administration did not have the authority to close access to Bali.

“That is the central government’s jurisdiction. What we can do is tighten the implementation of health protocols at all ports of entry, including airports seaports and fishing harbors,” he said.

Bali recorded Indonesia's first death from COVID-19 on March 11, a woman from the United Kingdom who died at Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar. (rin)