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Chinese tourists welcome to extend their stays: Bali deputy governor
Bali Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati said he welcomed Chinese tourists with open arms if they felt safer in Indonesia.
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A number of residents participated in a joint prayer at Luhur Temple, Narmada Tanah Kilap Temple, Denpasar, Bali, Friday (1/31/2020). The prayers carried out by the Bali Provincial Tourism Office and participated in by a number of tourism industry players were held to pray for world safety and request that Bali be kept away from spreading the Corona virus. (Antara/Fikri Yusuf)
T
he Bali administration has allowed Chinese tourists in the island to extend their visas despite the government’s travel restrictions to prevent a coronavirus outbreak.
Bali Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati said he welcomed Chinese tourists with open arms if they felt safer in Indonesia.
The Chinese tourists in Bali did not have to return to their country because of the temporary restrictions, he added.
“Our immigration will be more flexible toward Chinese tourists who overstay their visits,” said the deputy governor.
Moreover, Tjokorda said he would do his best to prevent discrimination against Chinese tourists, in light of the coronavirus.
“By installing thermal scanners in the airport, as well as other methods, we hope the public will stop worrying about the virus, which could lead to discrimination against Chinese tourists in hotels or other places in Bali,” he said.
Bali has prepared anticipatory measures against the spread of the coronavirus by implementing a monitoring system, which has been used since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in the early 2000s.
“We believe that the government will be able to handle the coronavirus case properly so that the relationship between Indonesia and China, especially in the tourism sector, will be able to return to its previous state,” Tjokorda said as quoted by Antara, adding that the province, also known as the Island of the Gods, would hold mass prayers at Pura Batur temple in Bangli, hoping for an end to the outbreak.
Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General in Denpasar Gou Haodong said he felt touched by the Bali administration and the public’s friendly attitude toward Chinese residents in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
He also appreciated the Indonesian government's efforts to protect the country.
“We hope for everyone’s support if the Chinese government picks up the Chinese tourists to return to the country,” Haodong said. (dpk)
