US scientists seek answers to Bali’s Covid-19 secret - Asia Times
▻https://asiatimes.com/2020/06/us-scientists-seek-answers-to-balis-covid-19-secret
Given the widespread prevalence of dengue fever on Bali, local doctors have even begun to speculate whether the mosquito-borne disease might provide some sort of protection against the coronavirus. Balinese appear to be more willing to comply with distancing protocols than foreigners, but a book will soon be distributed through the kelihan network explaining what they should do to keep their communities safe. Meanwhile, with Bali’s economy deep in the doldrums, Jakarta’s focus has been on an estimated US$9 billion in foreign exchange earnings the island stands to lose before the pandemic runs its full course. Odo Manuhutu, deputy for tourism and creative economy at the Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Ministry, raised the idea of a tourist corridor with Australia, China, South Korea and Japan during a virtual press conference on June 12. The four countries contributed 2.8 million of the 6.3 million tourists who visited Bali last year, with Australians, who regard the island almost as a second home, seizing back the top ranking it had lost to China in 2018. Diplomatic sources say Maritime Coordinating Minister Luhut Panjaitan first referred to the corridor plan at a meeting with Australian Ambassador Gary Quinlan in early April, but nothing has been discussed at an official level since then.
In fact, only days ago the Australian government banned its citizens from leaving the country for a further three months, until mid-September, although it said exceptions may be made for countries like New Zealand
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