Indonesia will reopen its resort island Bali for foreign travelers from all countries on Feb. 4, Wiku Adisasmito, a spokesman at the country’s Covid-19 Task Force, said on Monday.
Having learned from previously failed reopenings in which the list of allowed countries was too short and quarantine periods too long, this time Bali will reopen to visitors from all nations with 4-6day quarantine depending on individual assessment.
International visitors will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test, evidence of vaccination, proof of 4-5 nights’ lodging in a quarantine-approved hotel, and a visa before entry.
Because the visa-on-arrival program is presently halted, tourists have had to apply for a visa with a local sponsor called VISIT VISA (B211A), which sometimes is hard to get.
Other current entry requirements include a letter confirming intentions to follow Indonesia’s quarantine requirements, health insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses and proof of USD 1500 or equivalent by showing the last 3 bank statements.
However, the government will address these entry requirements in a separate regulation over the next few weeks, according to Adisasmito.
The reopening news prompted Singapore Airlines to announce the resumption of daily commercial flights to Bali starting February 16, according to an email sent by the carrier to its customers on Monday.
Singapore has already resumed quarantine-free travel to the nearby Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan.
“The resumption of daily flights to Bali is part of SIA’s long-term commitment to grow Indonesia’s tourism industry. SIA passenger network currently covers 64 destinations in 34 countries, and we will do our best to promote Indonesia,” said Alvin Seah, General Manager Indonesia, Singapore Airlines.
“Our services to Denpasar and Jakarta will continue to provide flexibility to our customers who wish to travel to and from Indonesia.”
This reopening comes in the middle of a surge of Covid-19 cases. In the last seven days, the country has reported an average of 9,150 new infections, up from 190 at the start of the year.
Nonetheless, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin predicts that the current wave will peak in February and that the health system will not be under strain.