A Day After Nyepi, Balinese People Told Not to Leave Home

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

The atmosphere of Kuta Utara District, Badung Regency, Bali, during the 1942 Saka New Year\'s Nyepi Day, on Wednesday (25/3/2020).

DENPASAR, KOMPAS — The governor of Bali issued an appeal to all Balinese to stay in their homes on Thursday (26/3/2020) the day after Nyepi (Hindu Day of Silence). The appeal was followed by several regional heads in Bali, one of which was the regent of Gianyar.

As of Wednesday (25/3/2020), several local administrations in Bali have issued similar instructions or appeals for all citizens to remain in their respective homes. The appeal, among others, was issued by Klungkung regency, Gianyar regency, Bangli regency and Denpasar City.

Chairman of Bali Province Covid-19 Task Force, I Dewa Made Indra, in a press conference on Tuesday (24/3/2020) said the Bali governor\'s appeal dated 23 March, 2020 was in line with the central government directives to prevent and combat the spread of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

"Before the appeal was issued, the governor had communicated with Bank Indonesia, the National Police and the Indonesian Military [TNI] in Bali. All parties welcomed it and gave a positive response," Indra said.

The Bali governor\'s call for reducing or limiting activities outside the house the day after Nyepi got a response from regional heads in Bali.

The Bali governor\'s call for reducing or limiting activities outside the house the day after Nyepi got a response from regional heads in Bali.

In fact, the regent of Gianyar along with the chairman of Indonesia Parisada Hindu Dharma (PHDI) in Gianyar regency and the Madya Customary Village Council in Gianyar regency closed all access to and from the Gianyar region. Gianyar Regent I Made Mahayastra had confirmed he had issued the instruction.

Mahayastra said the joint instruction letter was a follow up to the Bali governor\'s appeal letter and also the efforts of the local administration prevent the spread of Covid-19. "It’s a kind of an extension of Brata Panyepian, that is amati lelungan or no traveling outside the house on Thursday 26 March," Mahayastra told Kompas.

He also emphasized the closure of all access across the Gianyar region on Thursday (26/3/2020). "All roads crossing the Gianyar region will be closed for all vehicles, except for emergency matters, medical personnel, security forces and government, as well as for other urgent matters," he said.

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

Situation at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Badung, Bali, Sunday (22/3/2020).

Restriction

I Made Dewa Indra further explained Bali was officially was closed for one day, namely during Nyepi on Wednesday (25/3/2020). During Nyepi, Hindus carry out self-limitation or Catur Brata Panyepian, which is amati karya (no physical activity), amati lelanguan (no entertainment), amati lelungan (no traveling) and amati geni (no lights or fire).

On the day after Nyepi, which is known as Ngembak Geni, on Thursday (26/3/2020), Hindus and people in Bali returned to their activities, but all office activities, including banking, are still on pause.

"In line with the commitment to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 disease, the governor issued the appeal [to stay home], which was associated with the Nyepi ritual," said Indra, who is also the secretary of the Bali provincial administration.

Indra said all activities and services at the airport or the seaport in Bali will operate normally from Thursday (26/3/2020).

In a press statement on Tuesday (24/3/2020), communications and legal manager of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I’s branch at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Arie Ahsanurrohim, stated the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport operations were stopped during Nyepi observance, which started Wednesday (25/3/2020) at 6 a.m. through to Thursday (26/3/2020) at 6 a.m., except for emergency flights or medical evacuation purposes. After that time, the airport was back to normal operations.

We maintain the reliability of electricity supply in Bali by forming posts in 46 locations.

General manager of state-owned electricity company PT PLN Bali distribution unit, Nyoman Suwarjoni Astawa, said PLN Bali set up 46 posts during Nyepi to maintain the electricity supply in Bali, especially for hospitals and vital objects, and specifically for referral hospitals that deal with Covid-19 patients. "We maintain the reliability of electricity supply in Bali by forming posts in 46 locations," Suwarjoni said.

Regarding its vigilance to curb the spread of Covid-19, Suwarjoni said PLN has decided not to deploy personnel assigned to report on power-usage meters at the home of its customers, at least until 31 March. The step was taken to maintain the safety of PLN personnel and also PLN customers. "We will calculate the average power usage over the past three months and take the lowest usage in three months," said Suwarjoni.

PLN Bali also provides options for customers to report their electricity usage independently to PLN Bali, that is by way of sending a photo of the power-usage meter and customer ID numbers to the PLN service unit’s WhatsApp account.