Although COVID-19 cases in Indonesia continue to rise, Bali will welcome back all international tourists this month.
Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s tourism minister, announced Bali would reopen to international tourists on February 4, 2022. The central government has decided to open Bali’s international border to international visitors from all countries starting on Friday, Sandiaga announced at the virtual weekly press briefing on Monday.
Bans on foreign visitors will be lifted from February 4 as part of efforts to revive Bali’s struggling tourism industry – which contributes 54 percent to the island’s economy.
Luhut Pandjaitan, the Senior Minister responsible for the health ministry, told a news briefing on Monday that the quarantine period for travelers who have been fully vaccinated is now five days instead of seven.
Passengers who have not been vaccinated or who have received just one dose must, however, spend seven days in quarantine.
In October, the government made the announcement that Bali would be available to tourists from several countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, and New Zealand. Foreign nationals wanted to enter Bali at that time needed to be fully vaccinated, insured, and obtain a visa from a local sponsor. They had to be quarantined for 8 days at their own expense. But there was no direct flight, so arrivals had to pass through Jakarta on their way to Bali.
The announcement comes despite an increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the country with 10,185 confirmed positive infections on Monday.
Garuda Indonesia will resume direct flights between Narita (Japan) and Bali on February 16, whereas Singapore Airlines will resume daily service from its hub to Bali by that date. Direct flights will resume by more airlines as demand grows.
