More International Flights Are Expected Coming to Bali Due to Self Quarantine Free Policy
Did you know that you can now travel to Bali with no worries of self-quarantine? Also, there are 16 counters available at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport today for guests who would love to get their entry permit by tourism visa on arrival. Each counter will be placed with two officers, ensuring you receive your permit in no time. At an estimation of a minute, these 16 counters can serve 32 guests at once. From international commercial flights which have entered Bali to the new controversial policies dropped by Indonesia’s Government, we will have them all covered in this post.
Bali Welcomes Home These International Flights and Expects More to Follow
Over two years since March 2020, Bali shut down commercial flights to anticipate the vast spread of COVID-19. Although Bali officially reopened for foreign tourists back in October 2021, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport began receiving their first international flight arrival departing from Tokyo’s Narita Airport by Garuda Indonesia carrying 12 passengers (6 Indonesian citizens and six foreign citizens) on February 3, 2022. It was quite the wait until another commercial flight from Singapore Airlines set down Boeing B787 aircraft in Bali on February 16, 2022, with flight numbers SQ938 around 11.50 A.M. There are 156 passengers in total, consisting of 47 Indonesian citizens and 109 foreigners. The same aircraft took 61 passengers with flight number SQ939 from Bali to Singapore at 1.00 P.M that day.
With Japan and Singapore having landed home to Bali, it is just a matter of time until other international flights resume their travel, isn’t it?
Self Quarantine Free Policy – What’s In It?
The Central Government released several policies that will boost Bali’s tourism sector, such as the self-quarantine free and the reopening of visa on arrival policies effective from March 7, 2022. The guidelines were brought forward seven days earlier than expected, on March 14, 2022.
Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, stated that the decision was not rushed but made after considerable advice and data by experts. He mentioned that Bali has fulfilled the requirements to pursue the plan ahead. 104% of people already got their first jab and 90% on their second dose of vaccine. Moreover, until March 6, 2022, Wayan Koster announced that the booster vaccine had reached 22.3%. The Provincial Governor in Bali stays committed to aiming for booster vaccine distribution above 30%. He also added that there was less than 1% of transmission cases of COVID-19 from the total 2.909 visitors from February 30 to March 6, 2022.
This policy comes with certain conditions. The tourists should show their proof of health certificates (vaccination and negative PCR test result pre-departure), retake PCR, confirm that they have booked accommodation and own travel insurance. In case after retaking the PCR test, they show COVID-19 positive; they will be directed for quarantine at their own expense and stay at their booked accommodation. In contrast to the COVID-19 negative tourists, they can go on the same day to the destinations of their choice at the very moment.
16 Counters Are Ready to Serve 32 Tourists at One Go with Visa on Arrival
The reopening of visa on arrival (VoA) is also part of the program held by Indonesia’s Government to help increase the visits from foreigners to Bali. The VoA, however, is specific for tourism visa that will be eligible in 23 countries. General Directorate of Immigration mentioned that those countries would include Australia, United States, Netherlands, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, England, Italy, Japan, Germany, Cambodia, Canada, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, France, Qatar, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. So, if you are excluded from the countries mentioned, you may not get VoA, but you can always have several alternatives here.
All in all, the success of these campaigns will promote trust in other nations. Bali will set an example of whether other provinces in Indonesia can start to loosen up as well or not. Monitoring is strictly conducted to ensure everything works well and a rising case is well managed. So, are you interested in venturing to the Island of Gods in this shortcoming time?
Sources:
https://bali.inews.id/berita/visa-on-arrival-di-bali-hanya-butuh-waktu-singkat-tak-sampai-1-menit/2
https://www.evisabali.com/2022/03/09/no-more-self-quarantine-for-visitors-in-bali/
