New Orders for International Tourists While in Bali: Obligations and Prohibitions

Jakarta –

Governor of Bali Wayan Coster officially issued Circular (SE) Governor of Bali Number 4 of 2023 concerning New Orders for International Tourists While in Bali. The circular letter contains several terms of obligation and prohibition (do’s and don’ts) for foreign tourists visiting Bali.

Reported detikBali, Wednesday (31/5/2023), the SE comes into effect today until further notice. In a press conference at the office of the Governor of Bali, Koster conveyed several points that oblige and prohibit tourists from vacationing in Bali.

“Followed up in today’s coordination meeting so that the Circular issued today can be effectively implemented in the field,” Koster said during a press conference at the Bali Governor’s Office, Wednesday.

Obligations of Foreign Tourists

Foreign tourists are required (do’s), like:

1. Honoring the sanctity of temples, pratima, and sacred religious symbols;
2. Seriously respect the customs, traditions, arts and culture, as well as the local wisdom of the Balinese people in the procession of ceremonies and ceremonies that are being carried out;
3. Wear polite, reasonable and appropriate clothing when visiting holy places, tourist attractions, public places and during activities in Bali;
4. Behaving politely in sacred areas, tourist areas, restaurants, shopping places, roads and other public places;
5. Accompanied by a tour guide who has a permit/licence (understanding natural conditions, customs, traditions, and local wisdom of the Balinese people) when visiting tourist attractions;
6. Performing foreign currency exchange at authorized money changer (KUPVA) operators, both banks and non-banks marked with a permit number and a QR code logo from Bank Indonesia;
7. Make payments using the Indonesian Standard QR Code;
8. Make transactions using the rupiah currency;

9. Drive in compliance with the laws and regulations in force in Indonesia, including having a valid international or national driving license, orderly traffic on the road, dress politely, wear a helmet, follow traffic signs, do not load passengers exceeding capacity, and not under the influence of alcoholic beverages and or illegal drugs;
10. Use official four-wheeled transport equipment or two-wheeled transportation equipment under the auspices of a business entity or two-wheeled transportation leasing association;
11. Staying/staying in an accommodation business place that has a permit in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations;
12. Comply with all special provisions/rules that apply to each tourist attraction and tourist activity.

Prohibition for Foreign Tourists

Koster also conveyed the prohibitions (don’ts) for foreign tourists, such as:

1. Entering utamaning mandala and madyaning mandala holy places or sanctified places such as temples, pelinggih, except for the need to pray by wearing traditional Balinese clothing or prayer and it is not during menstruation;
2. Climbing a sacred tree;
3. Behavior that desecrates holy places and sacred places, temples, pratima and religious symbols, such as climbing sacred buildings and taking pictures in immodest clothes/without clothes;
4. Dispose of garbage indiscriminately and pollute lakes, springs, rivers, seas and public places;

5. Using single-use plastics such as plastic bags, polysterina (styrofoam) and plastic straws;
6. Saying harsh words, impolite behavior, making noise, and acting aggressively towards state officials, government, local communities and fellow tourists directly or indirectly through social media, such as spreading hate speech (hate speech) and hoaxes;
7. Work and or carry out business activities without having official documents issued by the competent authority;
8. Engaging in illegal activities such as (flora and fauna, cultural artefacts, sacred objects) trading in illegal goods including illegal drugs.

If there are violations, the Provincial Government of Bali will take firm action and provide sanctions for violators.

Read more here.

(yld/idh)