Bali Provincial Government Denies WFB Triggered The Rise In COVID-19 Cases

DENPASAR - Bali Provincial Government denied that the Work From Bali (WFB) policy was the trigger for the surge in COVID-19 cases in Bali. Recently, the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Bali has indeed increased.

Head of the Bali Communications, Information and Statistics Agency, Gede Pramana, responded to reports that said Work From Bali was one of the triggers for the 2-fold spike in COVID-19 cases. In fact, Pramana emphasized that domestic travelers had strict conditions.

"Among them are the negative swab test results to be able to enter Bali in accordance with the applicable health protocols", Pramana said in a written statement, Wednesday, June 23.

"The spike in COVID-19 cases has not only occurred in Bali but also in various other regions in Indonesia, so it is not appropriate to mention the WFB policy as the trigger", he continued.

According to him, the surge in COVID-19 cases was due to increased community activities, including the emergence of new variants of COVID-19.

The WFB policy initiated by the central government is considered appropriate because the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bali's tourism-based economy is felt by the community.

"The WFB policy will really help Bali's economy recover, of course, while still prioritizing health protocols", he said.

Pramana hopes that the assessment of policies is not based on assumptions and logic alone, but is also supported by data and socio-economic conditions of the community.