1,861 Tourism Stakeholders in Bali are Targeted to Receive InDOnesia CARE Certification by the End of 2021

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia is preparing for the implementation of a recovery plan in the tourism industry, and Bali will be the first destination assigned as the locomotive for the whole country. Preparations are being undertaken extremely carefully, in order to make sure that everything will run smoothly for prospective tourists when they return to Bali.

One of the most important highlights of the preparation is the strict implementation of health protocols in Bali. As of 18^th January 2021, approximately 994 tourism stakeholders in Bali (516 hotels and 478 non-hotels, including restaurants, homestay villas, nature tourism sites, shopping centers, transportation services, and diving tours) have been granted InDOnesia CARE certification by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. This means that they have met the required standard for health protocol implementation.

While visiting the Sanur Beach area in Denpasar on Saturday, 10 April 2021, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno stated that the COVID-19 prevention health protocols will be strictly implemented in the Bali region. "We have to extensively monitor people's compliance with health protocols." said Sandiaga Uno.

He said that the ministry will also intensify socialization and education to all people, especially those in the green zone, to continue to comply with health protocols in order to continue to suppress the Covid-19 infection rate. "There will be sanctions for those who commit violations. Regarding international travelers, we won't hesitate to deport them if they refuse to comply with health protocols," he said.
 

AIRPORTS

Since August 2020, 15 airports in Indonesia have been granted the Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). This stamp was obtained after Angkasa Pura I, the state-owned company managing the airports in Indonesia, sent airport health protocol procedure to the agency for complete assessment. According to the Director of Angkasa Pura I, Fahmi Faik, the Safe Travels Stamp shows the public and tourism stakeholders that Angkasa Pura I has consistently implemented health protocols related to preventing the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with Safe Travels WTTC and ICAO Takeoff Guidelines for Aviation protocol.

The protocols that are implemented in the airports include the application of social/physical distancing, checking body temperature, and checking health documentation. Cleanliness in airport areas has been ensured through periodic use of disinfectants in public areas and facilities, such as check-in counters, trollies, self-check-in machines, SCP (tray & x-ray), toilets, boarding pass scanners, handrails, armchairs, and more.

All operational staff on duty in airports are also equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety goggles, masks, and gloves. The airport also provides hand sanitizers in terminal areas. In addition to the implementation of physical distancing, airports have arranged a minimum queue distance of 1,5 meters in areas such as: Check In, Security Checkpoint, Immigration, Boarding Lounge, Garbarata (jet bridges), Baggage Claim areas and public transportation waiting areas.
 

HOTELS

The government will ensure that on leaving the airport to the hotel, visitors will receive extensive protection, due to strict implementation of health protocols by hotel management. At the entrance, visitors will be provided with a hand sanitizing facility, disinfectant for baggage and belongings, and an exclusive driver’s waiting room.

Visitors will be subject to obligatory face mask-wearing in all hotel areas, body temperature checking, and a social distancing rule of 1-meter distance in the entrance queue and in front of the concierge/receptionist desk. Furthermore, hotel employees will also be required to wear face masks, implement social distancing, and collect data on visitor’s travel history and health conditions for the previous 14 days, using the Covid-19 risk self-assessment form (form 1) upon check-in.
 

RESTAURANTS

Health protocols are being strictly enforced in restaurants in order to ensure safety to all visitors. Visitors will be provided with hand-sanitizing facilities on entrance, and will be subject to a social distancing rule of 1-meter at the cashier queue, a no-handshake rule, obligatory face mask-wearing, and inter-customer partition on the dining table.

Restaurants are required to serve food family style or a la carte. Restaurants serving buffet will need to apply rules such as:

1. Staff assigned to the  buffet stalls must be equipped with face masks and gloves

2. Visitors taking food must be assisted by staff and comply with the social distancing rule of 1-meter distance between people while queuing.

3. All dining utensils must be cleaned and disinfected safely and appropriately before reuse

4. Equipment should be replaced, washed, and sanitized as often as possible

5. Staff in-charge must wash hands with soap and running water frequently

6. Staff in-charge must change gloves frequently, especially after touching objects other than eating/drinking utensils
 

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

Tourist attractions, as key players in the tourism recovery plan, are also implementing health protocols. All personnel, visitors, and other parties are required to wear a face mask and are subject to body temperature checking in the entrance and a social distancing rule of 1-meter distance per person in all areas, including the front desk queue. Hand sanitizing facilities will be provided at the entrance and within tourist attractions.

To further prevent risk, the government has encouraged tourist attractions to provide online ticket purchasing and reservation, as well as non-cash payment. Tourist attractions have also established visiting regulations, such as setting the length of visiting time and the number of people allowed according to the capacity and characteristics of the tourist attraction. This applies especially in areas that are favorable for visitors and other places that have the potential to generate crowds.

The safety and wellbeing of international travelers visiting Bali is key to tourism recovery preparation and will remain the number one priority. The strict measures being implemented are solid proof that InDOnesia CAREs for the comfortable return of visitors to Bali.