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Starting March 1st, foreign visitors entering Indonesia who have been fully vaccinated or have received a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine will only have to quarantine for 3 days, according to new government regulations. And starting March 14th, Indonesia is testing a quarantine waiver for tourists visiting the tourist island of Bali.
However, according to Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the pilot program could be launched before March 14 if the Indonesian government sees positive developments next week, as the number of new Covid-19 cases in Bali continues to decline.
Tourists arriving at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. Photo: EPA
In an online press conference on February 27, Mr. Panjaitan stated that the Covid-19 death rate in Indonesia remains high while vaccination rates are low, so the government will take a cautious approach and gradually adjust quarantine measures. Quarantine trials have begun in Bali, as this province has a higher rate of second-dose vaccinations compared to other provinces.
Accordingly, tourists arriving in Bali who test negative for Covid-19 must present proof of hotel bookings for at least four days and have been fully vaccinated or received a booster shot. They will undergo continuous antigen testing daily until the final day, upon receiving a negative PCR test result, at which point they will be free to move around according to health regulations.
Tourists at Canggu Beach, Bali. Photo: EPA
Furthermore, the requirement for a guarantor for e-visa applications will be abolished because this regulation is considered a burden for foreign tourists.
If the pilot program in Bali is successful, the Indonesian government will expand the quarantine exemption policy nationwide starting April 1st or earlier.
Currently, in addition to Bali, the Indonesian government also waives quarantine requirements for tourists from Singapore visiting Batam and Bintan islands in the Riau Islands under the travel bubble program.
