A 3D2N New-Normal Travel Experience in Nusa Dua, Bali

COVID-19 has affected the day-to-day life of people in almost every country around the world and tourism has been one of the worst-affected of all sectors. As Indonesia enters the new-normal era or the phase of adaptation of new habits, the government gears up to reactivate several tourist destinations and introduces InDOnesia CARE, an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to implement important protocols, focusing on CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability), across the tourism industry as a mandatory precaution.

So, if you’re still feeling unsure about clicking the ‘book now’ button, then worry not. You can make plans to travel tomorrow and gather more information till it’s the right time to travel. The government has been implementing new travel regulations at various tourism destinations, and also at the airport, to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.

Jovita Ayu, Dimas Ramadhan, and Dion Wiyoko went on a trip from Jakarta to Nusa Dua, Bali. It was a special trip to support the domestic tourism industry and they shared this experience from a traveler’s point of view to better inform the future travelers on how to prepare themselves. Check it out!

DAY 1 >> Departure

Getting ready to travel in the new normal? It will put your mind at ease if you pack and prepare your stuff days before the trip. You can start curating your new-normal kit and listing down all the travel essentials and documents. There are several mandatory documents that domestic travelers need to prepare prior to their departure to Bali:

1. Your ID card

2. Non-reactive rapid test or negative swab test result

3. Bali Health Precautions form, which can be accessed through https://cekdiri.baliprov.go.id/

4. Indonesia Health Alert Card (e-HAC), which can be filled out digitally by downloading e-HAC application on your mobile device

You are also encouraged to download the PeduliLindungi application on your mobile devices to find out the COVID-19 status of the places you will be visiting. You can learn more details here.

Airport procedures

Image by dionwiyoko

In addition to documentation requirements, the government has also applied various innovations at the airport to minimize the spread of the virus. These include providing easy-to-access hand-sanitizing stations, self-printing boarding passes, protective shields at counters, and also social-distancing rules. 

"Apart from carrying extra masks and other supporting personal hygiene supplies, passengers are required to wear masks all the time in the airport area and regularly wash their hands at the hand-sanitizing stations," said Jovita Ayu.

New aircraft-specific rules

To provide comfort and safety to the passengers flying with Garuda Indonesia, a safe distance will be maintained between them and they will be required to use masks all the time on the plane. Garuda Indonesia has also been taking precautionary measures regarding the preparation of hygienic meals. 

“We flew with Garuda Indonesia and the meals prepared are in compliance with the hygiene requirements. They are using disposable cutlery (mono-use) and allowing passengers to take away,” said Dimas.

Garuda Indonesia also temporarily eliminated magazines, menu cards, welcome drinks, and other non-essential things on board to keep the passengers safe.

Bali’s new travel regulations

After landing in Bali, the cabin crew will direct all passengers to get off the plane gradually.

Dion said that the airport staff will also recheck your temperature and all your documents (Rapid Test / eHAC), and give you a certificate of health stating that you have passed the screening process in Bandara I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Bali. Now, you are good to go!
 

DAY 2 >>  Nusa Dua, Bali

Image by dimasramadhan

Restaurant procedures: The Café, Mulia Hotel

Jovita, Dimas, and Dion went to The Café at Mulia Hotel for lunch and they felt that all regulations related to the safety of the visitors were being followed strictly, which included sanitizing the restaurant area, equipping all the staff with masks and face shields, maintaining a physical distance between guests, checking body temperature, providing health amenities for the guests, maintaining physical distancing with visible markings and signs, and eliminating buffets altogether.

Hotel regulations: Sofitel Nusa Dua

Time to check in at Sofitel Nusa Dua Hotel! Sofitel Nusa Dua has been implementing strict health protocols to ensure the safety and comfort of its guests. According to Dimas, upon arrival, the body temperature of each guest is checked and they are asked to use hand sanitizers, which is in line with the CHSE protocol.

In each room, guests are provided with safety essentials, including masks, hand sanitizers, and disinfectant sprays to disinfect their suitcases and belongings. The rooms are also disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of the virus!

Sports activities in the new normal: Outdoor gym & Yoga sessions

What’s the key to live a healthy life in this new-normal era? Exercise! It is one of the most effective ways to boost your immunity. Thus, Jovi, Dimas, and Dion participated in several sports activities such as outdoor gym and yoga sessions in Sofitel Nusa Dua, Bali.

Quick tips from Dion: Avoid exercising in a crowded place, practice physical distancing, wash hands regularly, and avoid touching faces.

Dine-in procedures: Reef Beach Club, Kempinski

Image by jovitaayu

Infused with Javanese artistry, the unique design of Reef Beach Club, Kempinski offers a warm, cozy setting for a casual beachfront escapade. The restaurant has been implementing strict health protocols to make its guests feel safe and comfortable while they enjoy their food. Temperature checks and hand sanitization upon arrival, well-equipped staff, hygienic meals, and a limit on the number of customers per table are some of the precautionary measures being strictly followed here. 

Massage treatment in the new normal: Jari Menari Spa 

“It’s been a long time since I got a massage treatment. I was afraid of the COVID-19 outbreak, but now I visited the Jari Menari Spa to soak the stress away. Turns out they really safeguard the health and safety of their customers by following CHSE protocols,” said Jovita.

Yes, after a long hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, the well-known Jari Menari Spa is now back. It’s implementing strict hygiene protocols and taking great caution to make its service risk-free. Apart from wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, performing temperature checks, and minimizing conversations, the spa makes sure to disinfect the rooms and change the sheets regularly. Customers are also required to shower before and after the sessions. Likewise, it is mandatory for the staff to take a shower before and after providing services to the customers.
 

DAY 3 >>   Back to Jakarta

It's time to go back to Jakarta after a safe and short visit in Bali. The procedures at the airport, during the flight, and on arrival in Jakarta are basically the same. All passengers must prepare documents such as ID cards, non-reactive rapid test or negative swab test results, and e-HAC, which has been filled in as a report that you are traveling from Bali to Jakarta. Upon arrival in Jakarta, all documents will be checked and it’s all done!

As Bali reopens for domestic tourists, you can make your beach dreams come true! The airport, hotels, and restaurants in Bali have been implementing health and hygiene protocols to curb the COVID-19 transmission and safeguard tourists’ health and safety. So, fret not. By respecting the locals and complying with the implemented rules and protocols, you can have a safe and enjoyable travel experience in Bali during the new normal. Let’s be a responsible traveler! 

Be aware that there are newest regulations regarding international travel to Indonesia during pandemic situation. Kindly refer to this article for more information.