Bali Governor Wayan Koster’s remarks at a press conference on Sunday, 12th of March, 2023, conducted at the offices of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Denpasar, opened a new chapter in efforts by the Bali government to stop outrageous and disorderly behaviour by foreign tourists including the possibility to end VOA for Russians & Ukrainians.
The Bali governor stated that his office was not acting in response to press and social media reports about misbehaving foreigners but had been silently and discretely collecting information and planning future enforcement measures for some time.
Governor Koster reiterated his wish to rid the Island of Bali of “unhealthy” conduct at the media briefing. According to Koster, some foreign travellers’ boisterous behaviour upsets other visitors who want to vacation in Bali.
New Rules From Bali Governor
The services of a Bali travel agency are now required for foreign visitors to book transportation services, according to new rules revealed by Governor Koster. Additionally, Koster stated that it is now against the law for foreign visitors to hire motorbikes and use them to travel around the island by themselves.
Visa-on-Arrival for Ukrainian and Russian Nationals Will be Discontinue
The Bali Governor declared that he had written to Jakarta’s central government to request that the Ukrainian and Russian citizens’ ability to obtain visas upon landing be discontinued. Adding, “I apologize. This (action) is not a response to popular videos and news stories; they haven’t impacted us either. Since the COVID pandemic, this has been an evolving process. Actions have taken place for months, and this work has been done in silence, so there is no point in hurrying”.
The Bali Governor has written to the Minister of Law and Human Rights, along with a copy to the Minister of Tourism, asking that the visa-on-arrival (VOA) option be discontinued for tourists from Russia and Ukraine. He said it would be decided whether other nations should also be denied access to VOA after further negotiations with the Central Government. In light of the current hostilities between Russia & Ukraine and the need to limit non-tourist entries, Governor Koster justified revoking the VOA for those nationalities.
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Driving Restriction
The Governor claimed that new rules prohibiting foreign visitors from driving motorbikes are being implemented due to the chaotic way tourists go in Bali and the fact that many need to possess the necessary driver’s license. Governor Koster reminded all tourists in Bali to behave in a lawful and orderly way, abide by Indonesian laws, and honour all local cultures, particularly the culture of Bali Island.
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