Indonesia designates 3 areas of Bali as Covid-19 ‘green zones’ to welcome foreign tourists

In a move that Thai officials may watch with some interest, the governor of Bali, Indonesia, has designated 3 areas of the province as Covid-19 “green zones” to welcome international tourists. The popular tourist destinations of Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua, have all been labelled “green zones” as Indonesia takes tentative steps towards re-opening its borders.

Bali governor, Wayan Koster, says the creation of the 3 zones is part of a wider “Covid-19 safe travel” strategy and the initiative was done with the co-operation and approval of Indonesia’s Health Minister and the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister. The green zones are part of what officials describe as a Covid-free corridor, where all residents and people who conduct business within Ubud, Sanur and Nusa Dua, will be vaccinated against Covid-19.

According to a Coconuts report, 50,000 Ubud residents will be vaccinated against the virus, along with 60,000 in Nusa Dua and 27,000 in Sanur. The vaccination drive will cover all residents in officially-selected villages and sub-districts.

However, Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist at Australia’s Griffith University, warns that Bali should set a target of at least 2 weeks with no new deaths from the virus, as well as a number of other conditions, before the province re-opens for tourism.

Since the start of the pandemic, Indonesia has recorded 1,398,578 infections and 37,932 deaths. The country began its vaccine rollout in January, with President Joko Widodo receiving the first dose.

SOURCE: Coconuts