Coronavirus Outbreak; Bali Airport Denies Foreign Tourists Entry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bali’s Ngurah Rai Special Class I Immigration Office have rejected several foreign citizens from entering Indonesia through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport given their travel history to China, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, for the past 14 days.

“As of yesterday (February 5) at 7:38 p.m., we have denied entry of 15 foreign passengers who have traveled to China in the past 14 days,” said the immigration official Alberto Vincensio Gianny Lake in Badung, Thursday, February 6.

Alberto explained that two foreigners hailed from Russia, one from Romania, four from Brazil, three from Armenia, one from New Zealand, one from Ukraine, one from the UK, and two foreigners from Morocco.

Apart from the 15 foreigners, he added, the immigration also banned two Chinese citizens from entering Bali Province as they have traveled to their home country in the past two weeks. "They are immediately sent back on the same day," Alberto remarked.

Alberto went on to say that the airlines have the responsibility to cover all costs needed, including to transport them back to their departure country.

Earlier reported, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced the temporary travel ban from and to China as the coronavirus outbreak escalates. Tourists arriving from China after staying there for 14 days are also temporarily prohibited from transiting in and or entering Indonesia. 

The president had also rescinded the visa-free and visa on arrival facilities for Chinese nationals until there are successful efforts to curb the spreading of the deadly virus. For now, the government advised all Indonesians to refrain from traveling to mainland China. 

ANTARA