Bali coronavirus travel warning: Holiday hot spot is placed into ‘alert status’ as the popular Gili Islands are closed off to tourists
- Bali is on ‘alert status’ with schools closed and locals being advised to stay home
- There are no cases of coronavirus on the Gili Islands, closure is to prevent spread
- Tourists already on the island are able to stay for the duration of their booking
- Only one person was confirmed to have coronavirus in Bali, but they have died
- Authorities believe there may be unconfirmed cases of coronavirus in Indonesia
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Bali has been placed into ‘alert status’ and the Gili Islands have been closed to tourists in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Schools in Bali have been closed with locals advised to stay home, minimise travel and not to attend mass gatherings.
There are no cases of coronavirus on the Gili Islands, but the Indonesian government has restricted access to prevent the virus from reaching the idyllic destination.
More than 3,000 tourists visit the Gili Islands daily, and those already on the island are allowed to stay for the duration of their booking.
Indonesia have closed off the idyllic Gili Islands (pictured) for travellers coming from Bali for two weeks
Many have left early to avoid getting stuck on the island.
‘The hotel arranged everything for me because I heard they cancelled all the fast boats for safety reasons for fourteen days so this is why I go a day early,’ Belgium backpacker Debbie told 9News.
Locals are able to remain on the island, where a mass disinfectant is being planned.
Bali’s only confirmed case of coronavirus was British woman Kimberley Finlayson, who has passed away.
Another woman has her body temperature tested. The Gili Islands have no confirmed cases of the disease
Just 73 people have been tested for the disease in Bali and only 1,138 in Indonesia, leading authorities to believe there may be more unconfirmed cases.
All test samples taken in Bali must be sent to Jakarta to be examined with screening equipment.
Governor of Bali Wayan Koster said he has been asking the Indonesian government to give them utensils to check test results but has yet to receive anything.
From ‘alert status’ Bali can upgrade to ’emergency’ which will close Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Australians have been urged to reconsider all international travel regardless of the destination unless it is essential.
If Bali’s status is upgraded to emergency, Ngurah Rai International Airport will close. Pictured: two women are tested in Ngurah Rai airport last week