As of March 1, 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 three days under new government regulations. And as of March 14, Indonesia is testing quarantine exemptions for visitors to 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 implemented before March 14 if the Indonesian Government sees positive developments next week, when the number of new Covid-19 cases in Bali continues to decrease.
Tourists entering at Ngurah Rai airport, Bali. Photo: EPA
In an online press conference on February 27, Mr. Panjaitan said that the Covid-19 death rate in Indonesia is still high while the vaccination rate is low, so the Government will take a cautious approach and gradually adjust the quarantine. The quarantine trial was started in Bali, because this is the province with a higher second-dose vaccination rate than other provinces.
Accordingly, visitors to Bali who have tested negative for Covid-19, must present proof of payment for hotel bookings for at least four days, and have been fully vaccinated or have received a booster shot. Each day, visitors will be tested for antigens continuously, until the last day with a negative PCR test result, they will be free to move according to health regulations.
Tourists at Canggu beach, Bali. Photo: EPA
Additionally, the requirement for a sponsor for tourist e-visa applications will be removed because it is considered a burden on foreign visitors.
If the pilot program in Bali is successful, the Indonesian government will expand the quarantine exemption policy nationwide from April 1 or earlier.
Currently, in addition to Bali, the Indonesian Government also applies quarantine exemption for tourists from Singapore to Batam and Bintan islands, Riau archipelago under the travel bubble program.
