Governor Wayan Koster Asks Central Government To Determine Endemic Status In Bali

DENPASAR - Bali Governor Wayan Koster asked the central government to establish a special COVID-19 endemic status in the Island of the Gods. This request was forwarded by Koster to the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

In his letter regarding the Application for Endemic Status Determination for Bali on Tuesday, May 17, Koster explained a number of considerations for his request to the central government.

"Daily positive confirmed cases continue to decline consistently and significantly, sloping and stable at 10-20 people per day, the positivity rate is always below 2 percent, the cure rate reaches 97 percent and the death rate is close to zero," said Koster quoted in the letter. number 773/SatgasCovid19/V/2022.

Koster explained, this stable condition was maintained even though the no-quarantine policy and Visa on Arrival (VoA) for 60 countries for foreign travelers (PPLN) had been implemented since March 7, 2022.

In addition, there have been a number of international meetings involving many participants, such as the World Parliamentary Meeting (IPU) and the Minamata Convention Meeting in February 2022.

There is also an activity in the form of the Ogoh-Ogoh parade which involves thousands of people in each traditional village throughout Bali in the context of Nyepi Day.

"The increase in domestic tourist visits during the Lebaran holiday," said Koster about the current condition of Bali which is still being protected from the surge in COVID-19.

In his letter, Koster also stated that the achievement of vaccination in Bali, especially the third vaccination (booster), is approaching 70 percent and the immunity of the Balinese people is claimed to have reached 98 percent.

"In connection with this, I request you to please determine the endemic status for Bali in the context of accelerating the recovery of tourism and the Balinese economy," said Governor Koster.