Let me start by saying that I am neither an epidemiologist nor a doctor or virologist. I am just a keen observer. And what I am observing here in Bali is very interesting and deserves more attention.

So let me share with you what we are seeing here in Bali in terms of the spread and impact of the Coronavirus on the population.

While truly horrific news is coming from parts of Europe, the US and other parts of the world the Corona situation in Bali is very unique and more importantly very positive.

In short: BALI seems to be largely unaffected by the Coronavirus.

Unlike South Korea or Taiwan, this is certainly not due to any interventions such as testing, isolating, tracking, etc.. Because very little of this is happening here. Fortunately!

The only things that we see here are beaches being cordoned off and the majority of restaurants catering for tourists are shut. In fact, tourism has come to a standstill.

Which is not surprising as the airport, through which over 95% of all visitors come in has been largely closed for foreign arrivals since the first week of February.

Schools have been closed since mid-March and public offices also to a large degree.

But that’s about it. Other than that business as usual.

Traditional wet markets are busy as usual and all businesses catering to the local population function as normal.

Construction sites, at least in my neck of the woods, are busy as normal. And Bali’s agricultural sector as well as small industries and businesses which are not involved in tourism function as normal.