Bali plunges into coronavirus lockdown as Indonesia bans ALL foreign arrivals

Bali could be set to plunge into coronavirus lockdown as Indonesia indefinitely bans ALL foreign arrivals – with the streets already eerily empty

  • More than a million Australian tourists travel to the island resort every year 
  • New travel restrictions have banned all foreign nationals arriving in Indonesia 
  • Only citizens, diplomats and family members are allowed to enter the country
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

The usually bustling streets of Bali have been left deserted as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take hold, forcing Indonesia to ban all foreign arrivals.

More than a million Australians head to the holiday island every year, but travel restrictions in both countries have brought that to grinding halt.

Only citizens, diplomats and family members are now allowed to enter Indonesia.

‘We have decided that all foreign arrivals and transits in Indonesia will be temporarily suspended,’ Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said, according to Coconuts Jakarta.

The usually bustling streets of Bali have been left deserted after Indonesia banned all foreign arrivals due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured before the pandemic

Balinese local guard crosses a road near a closed beach after the country closed them all due to coronavirus

Balinese local guard crosses a road near a closed beach after the country closed them all due to coronavirus

‘Of course, the restrictions come with exemptions, including holders of KITAS, KITAP, diplomatic residence permits, official residence permits, among others.’

The details of the travel ban have not yet been detailed.

An initial restriction was put into place on March 18.

Anyone entering the country must adhere to a 14-day quarantine. 

A nearly deserted street in Kuta, Bali, after the island closed most of its holiday spots

A nearly deserted street in Kuta, Bali, after the island closed most of its holiday spots

The details of the travel ban have not yet been detailed. An initial restriction was put into place on March 18

The details of the travel ban have not yet been detailed. An initial restriction was put into place on March 18

The country’s military, police force and disaster agency have used water canons to blast the popular tourist destination, according to Seven.

Beaches have also been closed.

Indonesia’s tourism industry has been left in tatters as a result of the coronavirus gripping the world. 

The country’s leader – President Joko Widodo – declared a national emergency last week, however many have criticised him for not enforcing harsher measures to stop the spread of the virus.

Under those rules tourists, foreigners holding Malaysian work permits or student visas weren't allowed to enter the country

Under those rules tourists, foreigners holding Malaysian work permits or student visas weren’t allowed to enter the country

Passengers wear protective masks as they arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali

Passengers wear protective masks as they arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali

However the state of emergency allows Bali to act on its own accord and shut down if it deems the move necessary. 

There have been 1,528 cases of coronavirus in Indonesia with 136 deaths.

Bali has declared 19 cases.  

The country's leader - President Joko Widodo - declared the emergency last week

The country’s leader – President Joko Widodo – declared the emergency last week

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