The States News Agency Antara and detik.travel.com both report that the Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments, who also serves the National COVID-19 Coordinator, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has announced that with the reopening of Bali to international travelers, 18 countries are now permitted to operate flights to Indonesia,
Minister Luhut did not disclose the 18 countries permitted to operate flights to Indonesia, saying the Minister of the Interior would soon announce that list via a circular memorandum. In an earlier announcement, Luhut named five countries permitted flights to Bali: Japan, UAE, UK, China, and New Zealand.
Although unprepared to divulge the list of the 18 countries, Luhut did note that the Republic of Singapore would not be included in the coming list. Luhut’s exclusion of Singapore from the list is linked to “a failure to meet standards for level 1 or level anti-COVID benchmarks as set by the World Health Organization (WHO).”
On Sunday, 10 October 2021, Singapore recorded 2,809 new cases of COVID-19.
Luhut said the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia was on a continuing decline. He declared the number of daily new cases was down 98.9% compared to the peak hit on 15 July 2021. The number of deaths recorded on Sunday, 10 October nationwide was put at 39.
Meanwhile, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urges the public not to become complacent and to remain vigilant in applying and enforcing all health protocols.
Luhut noted that international flights to Bali were reopening before the Island achieved the lowest “category one” status for infections and deaths. The Minister said he hoped Bali could achieve a “category 1″ status in the coming week.
The COVID-19 Czar highlighted the Regency of Gianyar in Bali as needing improvement. He mentioned that the number of elderly citizens in Gianyar now stood at 38% and would reach 40% in the coming few days.
Pre-Arrival Requirements
To reduce the possibility of a new surge in COVID-19 cases in Bali, the Government has set forth pre-departure requirements for countries and their citizens wishing to visit Bali.
Among the pre-departure requirements are:
- Originating from a country with a WHO COVID-19 Level of 1 or 2 and a positivity rate of less than 5%.
- Travelers must have in their possession a “negative” RT-PCR Test performed within 3 x 24 hours of their departure for Indonesia.
- Official proof of being fully vaccinated (2 x injections) completed a minimum of 14 days before their departure for Indonesia. The subject proof must be in English in addition to any other language used on the official certificate.
- Proof of insurance to a value of US$100,000 that includes coverage for care in connection with COVID-19.
- Proof of pre-paid accommodation from an accommodation provider in Indonesia or a third party.
Foreign travelers to Indonesia must also:
- Complete an E-HAC (Electronic Health Alert Card) using the online PeduliLindungi Smartphone Application.
- Undergo an RT-PCR Test upon arrival in Indonesia performed at the traveler’s expense. Traveler’s RT-PCR test Results will be sent to their designated quarantine hotel after arrival.
Quarantine Period Reduced to 5 Days
In a reduction from the former quarantine period of 8 days, arriving international passengers are now only required to remain in a designated quarantine hotel for five days. On the evening of the fourth day, an RT-PCR Test would again be performed. If the results are “negative” the traveler will be free to leave the quarantine hotel and resume normal activities beginning day five.
The five-day quarantine period applies equally to both Indonesian and foreign travelers.
Luhut said the shorter five-day quarantine period was decided after the incubation period for COVID-19 was recently calculated to be 4.8 days.
Related Articles
Gov’t Eyes Reducing Quarantine to 5 Days