Bali Governor Wayan Koster said earlier today that the island of the gods is witnessing a phase shift from pandemic to endemic based on recent COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates.

“Seeing the curve patterns of 2020 and 2021 and currently 2022, I think from a development perspective between past patterns and existing curves, we’re actually entering the endemic phase,” Koster said during a meeting at the Bali Regional Council today.

Koster met with lawmakers to discuss the 2021 Accountability Report (LKPJ) and shared his thoughts on the current COVID-19 situation. The senior official later conceded that ultimately the official statement on whether Bali has entered an endemic phase should refer to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“But I think Bali is already in that phase. So [it’s] sure,” he added.

In his report, Koster said the province recorded 40 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, while 30 people have recovered and thankfully no deaths have been reported. The highest rate of recent daily infections fell on February 9 with 2,556 new cases that day, but numbers have continued to decline since.

Koster added that Bali has given boosters to 50.3% of its population – the highest in Indonesia, he noted – while coverage of the first dose is 104% and 95% for the second. dosage.

“Even now, with international tourists able to enter Bali without quarantine and using visas on arrival, there has been no increase in COVID-19 cases. So we can continue with the policy,” he said, referring to the 42 nationalities eligible for visas on arrival and the recently introduced non-quarantine policy for visitors to Bali.