Passengers from both countries are now required to complete a health pass three days before arriving on the island to record their health status, including symptoms such as fever, cold, or flu, according to The Jakarta Post.

Flights from China and Malaysia are under closer scrutiny, Denpasar KKP head Anak Agung Ngurah Kesumajaya said on Monday.

“Airlines from these countries need special attention, though we have yet to implement health protocols,” he said, as quoted by detikBali.

Chinese tourists remain among the top international visitors to Bali, which was named Asia’s most beautiful island by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in its 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Reports from Jan. 2 indicated an outbreak in China involving numerous cases of pneumonia caused by HMPV. The virus, which spreads quickly and presents symptoms similar to influenza and Covid, has raised concerns about another potential health crisis.

Currently, China is in winter, the usual time for respiratory infections to increase. The main pathogens include seasonal influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children, and HMPV.

However, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Jan. 4 that current infection levels are typical for the season and do not constitute an unusual public health event.

Malaysia saw 327 cases of HMPV infections in 2024, a 45% rise from the 225 cases in 2023, The Straits Times reported.

“Regarding human metapneumovirus, it’s not a new virus,” said Margaret Harris, a spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO), during a news briefing on Tuesday.

“It was first identified in 2001 and has circulated in the human population for a long time. It is a common virus that appears in winter and spring.”

Harris added that respiratory infections in China are currently within normal seasonal ranges.