Bali, one of the most popular destinations for a tropical vacation, is not spared from the Corona pandemic effect. Since its outbreak from imported cases of 12 people in late March, there are 63 positive cases per April 10 2020. And since then, its complementary instruments are falling.
As for Ngurah Rai International Airport, there won’t be any regulation on locking it down at the moment as Dewa Made Indra, regional secretariat of Bali, pointed out. “There are many strategies other than lockdown,” he added. The provisions applied are physical distancing, body temperature checking, and strengthening up the surveillance.
Even though the government has not closed regional access from foreigners, does not mean that the economic situation in Bali still runs smoothly. Bali gets the biggest income from foreign visits, so there is no way the economy diverted from the impact of this pandemic.
This pandemic and its impact on Bali can be understood simply through Wiyadnyana’s shoes.
Wiyadnyana is a small business runner living in Bali. Usually he could pick tourists up three to four times a week, and he’s surprised that now there’s no one to drive. Wiyadnyana occupied many businesses. Aside from being a driver, he owns motorcycle rental and laundry. All of them are under the same condition, they are decreasing.
But Wiyadnyana reported his silver-lining view. Because of this worldwide chaos, he’s able to take care of his beloved birds. He also said that Bali has become more peaceful where the roads are clearing and there’s no traffic jam like usual. Crimes in crowded places like Ubud are dropping too since there is no one there.
Not only small rental places that slowed down, but big stuffs like hotels are too, but they have to keep running since central governments reminded companies not to expel the workers. So the five-starred hotel, The Trans Resort Hotel Bali is still grinding and striving out their best.
While still maintaining the health of the workers through personal protective equipment such as masks and maintaining the cleanliness of their facilities, the resort is still accepting customers. They are also applying the requirements set by World Health Organizations by providing hand sanitizer in every corner and allowing customers to check-in without lining on the receptionist.
Another bright side we can see is the number of waste that are cut after the pandemic. In Indonesia, Bali produced the most waste on a daily basis, Bali produced approximately 700 tons of garbage per day. But now it has reduced to half of it.
It is always interesting when an event has two completely opposite effects. Bali with all of its exoticity is taking breaks of crowds and people, and we should too. By staying at home, we can reschedule and save more money for vacation plans.
Don’t think about the uncertainty like “when corona will end”, hold onto something definite, like Ubud Village Jazz that’s postponed until February 2021. The festival, and many festivals out there, are being postponed. We’re all in this together.
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