26 February 2021

As the number of health-protocols violations done by the expatriates and foreign nationals were escalated across media lately, the Bali authority has decided to be more assertive and firm in penalizing the violators. 

Not only refuse to wear mask, several young unscrupulous foreigners were mocking and making fun of the local officers during the mask-operation in North Kuta weeks ago. A short video of this awful incident went viral and triggered various responses from locals and expats.

Representative of Bali Police Department, Covid-19 Task Force, Immigration Office and Bali Vice-Governor attended an online meeting on Wednesday, 24 February 2021, to discuss this specific matter.

During the meeting, Bali Vice-Governor, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace) conveyed several points such as:

1. The penalty of IDR 100,000 for foreign violators is considered very low; therefore, many are still underestimated. 
2. There would be a revision of the Governor Regulation, which would be submitted to the Coordinating Minister and foreign ambassador. 
3. Foreigners who violate the protocols will be given the 1st warning, 2nd warning and deportation. 
4. Incase foreigners are being disrespectful and harassing officers (Police/ National Army (TNI) / Local Security (Satpol PP); they also will be deported.

The Deputy of Tourism and Creative Economic, Odo R.M. Manuhutu, has suggested to raise the penalty to IDR 1,000,000.

The government is currently finalizing all these regulations, and this new policy is expected to be officially released by next month. 

Latest Covid-19 statistic per Thursday (25/2), 263 new infections in Bali, made total cases 33.647. Recent recoveries at 292, in total 30.414 with eight recent death was reported, in total 905. While in Indonesia, there were 8.493 new cases, pushed down the total infections to 1.314.634 with 35.518 total deaths and 1.121.411 recoveries.