Bali to partially re-open to travellers from select countries next week

A government minister in Indonesia has confirmed the island of Bali will partially re-open to arrivals from certain countries. However, the list does not currently include Australia, a significant tourism market for Indonesia prior to the pandemic. According to an AFP report, Luhut Panjaitan says that from October 14, Ngurah Rai International Airport will open for arrivals from South Korea, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, and New Zealand.

“Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali will open internationally on October 14, as long as it meets the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, Covid-19 tests, and the readiness of the Task Force.”

The minister has not confirmed if the opening will apply to tourists or only people with a residence permit. However, all arrivals will need to show proof of a quarantine hotel booking for at least 8 days, which they will have to pay for themselves. There has been no confirmation of what other restrictions or criteria might apply.

Indonesia is emerging from a devastating wave of the highly-contagious Delta variant, which at one point in July, saw the country report over 56,000 new infections in 1 day. The worst-hit areas were plunged into lockdown, with the closure of all non-essential businesses and limits on movement.

The island of Bali, normally a huge tourist draw, has been devastated by the pandemic, with its normally thriving tourism industry in tatters. However, infection rates are now falling as the government accelerates its vaccine rollout, and restrictions are being eased, with cinemas, offices, and shopping centres re-opening at reduced capacity and on-site learning resuming at some schools. Yesterday, Indonesia reported 88 Covid-related deaths and 922 new infections.

SOURCE: AFP