Java-Bali-Lombok Crossing Closed During Nyepi Day

Passenger flows from Gilimanuk Port (Jembrana, Bali) to Ketapang Port (Banyuwangi, East Java) / ANTARA

JAKARTA - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) will temporarily close crossing services to and from Bali Island, namely the Ketapang-Gilimanuk and Lembar-Padangbai routes, during Nyepi Day starting Thursday, March 3.

"To respect the Hindus on the island of Bali who are carrying out Nyepi chess brata, there will be a temporary closure of crossing operational services on two routes connecting the Java, Bali and Lombok regions," said PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Corporate Secretary Shelvy Arifin as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, March 2nd.

Shelvy conveyed the temporary closure of crossing activities from Ketapang Port from Thursday (3/3) at 00.00 WIB to Friday (4/3) at 05.00 WIB. Meanwhile, from Gilimanuk Harbor starting Thursday (3/3) at 01.00 WITA until Friday (4/3) at 06.00 WITA.

Furthermore, closures were also carried out from Padangbai Port, Bali and Lembar Harbor, Lombok on Thursday (3/3) starting at 06.00 WITA until Friday (4/3) at 06.00 WITA.

The temporary closure of operations on the route connecting Java, Bali and Lombok will be carried out starting Thursday (3/3) for approximately 29 hours, and will resume normal operations on Friday (4/3).

According to him, this adjustment is also in accordance with the circular letter of the Governor of Bali and coordination meetings with all crossing stakeholders related to the 2022 Nyepi Day.

"We appeal to all service users to arrange their travel schedules properly," he said.

Regarding services and operations during Nyepi, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Ketapang and Lembar Branches has instructed shipping operators operating on the two routes to socialize the temporary closure of crossing activities to passengers.

However, ASDP has anticipated a surge in vehicles on both routes by keeping the fleet maximally and setting sailing and docking times.

For Ketapang-Gilimanuk, ASDP operates about 28 vessels per day out of a total of 52 vessels on standby.

Anticipation is also carried out at the Padangbai Port, where 3 ships are still on standby for emergency services from a total of 26 ships operating on the Padangbai - Sheet route.

Shelvy emphasized that ASDP continues to improve services and supervision of crossing services at Merak-Bakauheni, especially during the Nyepi holiday period.

"We ask people who will cross during the Nyepi holiday period this weekend to continue to comply with the rules, both for ticket reservations, travel requirements during the Covid-19 pandemic according to SE, and the implementation of prokes," he said.

For drivers and logistical driver assistants who have not carried out vaccinations, they are directed to vaccinate by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force if they are available at the ground transportation node locations.

ASDP also increases supervision to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 by implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at ports, both in Merak and Bakauheni.

Each counter officer checks the completeness of travel requirements in the form of negative results of rapid antigen tests and vaccine art for logistics, personal and passenger vehicles.

"If the completeness of the requirements is not met, the departure of vehicles or pedestrians is temporarily postponed until these conditions can be completed. For example, if you have not attached the antigen results, then you can do a test at an official clinic or laboratory," he continued.

Control activities are also carried out on people who are not interested in the port in accordance with Government Regulation PM 29 of 2016 concerning Fertilization of Ferry Ports.

Ahead of Nyepi Day 2022, ASDP noted an increase in buses and trucks on the Merak-Bakauheni crossing. Around 13,675 buses and 171,876 trucks made the crossing from Bakauheni to Merak until February 28, 2022. This condition increased compared to 2021 which only reached 11,073 for buses and 152,767 for trucks. However, the decline occurred in private vehicles ahead of the 2022 Nyepi Day.

This year, around 114,622 four-wheeled vehicles and 26,477 two-wheeled vehicles were recorded at Bakauheni Port. This number is smaller than the 2021 Nyepi Day which reached 120,709 for four-wheeled vehicles and 43,702 for two-wheeled vehicles.