Leave it to the Indonesian government to leave it until the 11th hour to make an announcement of this magnitude, but we finally know which source countries are allowed entry into Bali as the island reopens to international tourism today.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan, who has been overseeing COVID-19 handling in Indonesia, said that visitors from 19 countries would be granted entry to Bali and the Riau Islands in the country’s current phase of international reopening.
According to a statement issued by the ministry only last night, the countries are as follows:
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- New Zealand
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Qatar
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Liechtenstein
- Italy
- France
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Poland
- Hungary
- Norway
The Indonesian government said these countries made the list due to their low number of confirmed coronavirus cases and positivity rate.
“The list of 19 countries [that could] enter Indonesia only applies specifically for direct flights to Bali and Riau Islands,” Luhut said.
An official regulation by the COVID-19 Task Force was also issued only yesterday, laying out with specific requirements for international travelers, such as a five-day mandatory quarantine period upon arrival at the travelers’ expense, health insurance with coverage equivalent of at least US$100,000, and proof of booking for accommodation during their time in Indonesia.
Tourism players and officials have raised concerns about low demand in recent days, pointing to the sudden nature of the reopening that has left many unprepared until the very last minute.
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