Bali deputy governor: Tourists welcome to extend their stays


Warmly welcomed: In this file photo, Chinese tourists wearing face masks arriving from Nusa Penida at the fast boat pier in Serangan island in Denpasar, Bali. — AFP
Bali: The Bali administration has allowed Chinese tourists in the island to extend their visas despite the government’s travel restrictions to prevent the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Bali Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati said he welcomed Chinese tourists with open arms if they felt safer in Indonesia.

The Chinese tourists in Bali did not have to return to their country because of the temporary restrictions, he added.

“Our immigration will be more flexible toward Chinese tourists who overstay their visits,” he said.

Moreover, Tjokorda said he would do his best to prevent discrimination against Chinese tourists in light of the coronavirus.

“By installing thermal scanners in the airport as well as other methods, we hope the public will stop worrying about the virus, which could lead to discrimination against Chinese tourists in hotels or other places in Bali,” he said.

Bali has prepared anticipatory measures against the spread of the coronavirus by implementing a monitoring system, used since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in the early 2000s.

“We believe that the government will be able to handle the coronavirus case properly so that the relationship between Indonesia and China, especially in the tourism sector, will be able to return to its previous state,” Tjokorda said as quoted by Antara, adding that the province, also known as the Island of the Gods, would hold mass prayers at Pura Batur temple in Bangli, hoping for an end to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General in Denpasar Gou Haodong said he felt touched by the Bali administration and the public’s friendly attitude toward Chinese residents in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We hope for everyone’s support if the Chinese government picks up the Chinese tourists to return to the country,” Haodong said. — The Jakarta Post/ANN

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