The Government Will Allow Foreign Tourists From 19 Countries To Enter Bali And Riau Islands Starting Tomorrow, Here Is The List

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan announced that the government has granted permits for foreign tourists (tourists) from 19 countries to take international flights to Bali and the Riau Islands (Kepri).

"According to the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, we have given permission to 19 countries to be able to travel to Bali and the Riau Islands," said Coordinating Minister Luhut Pandjaitan as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, October 13.

The 19 countries are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), New Zealand, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, and Norway.

In a coordination meeting held virtually in Jakarta, Wednesday, Coordinating Minister Luhut revealed that the granting of permits to 19 countries was not without reason.

These countries were chosen according to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) because the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is at levels 1 and 2, with a low positivity rate.

"This list of 19 countries entering Indonesia only applies specifically to direct flights to Bali and Riau Islands," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

He said all types of travelers from these 19 countries can enter Bali and Riau Islands as long as they follow the requirements before and upon arrival, such as attaching proof of complete vaccination with a minimum of 14 days before departure which is made in English, and has RT-PCR results. negative within 3x24 hours.

Coordinating Minister Luhut also hopes that the opening of tourism in Bali will run smoothly. The government will also conduct an evaluation from time to time.

Meanwhile, all other countries (including those outside the list of 19 countries) can still enter Indonesia, through the international travel gates of Jakarta or Manado, provided that they follow the quarantine and testing provisions that have been set.

"This quarantine period is for 5 days and it does not only apply in Bali or Riau Islands, but also at other entrances, whether by air, land, or sea, and applies to all types of travelers, such as PMI, TKA, ASN, WNI/WNA. general," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

During the quarantine process in Bali and Riau Islands, foreigners/citizens entering Indonesia are not allowed to leave the room/private villa/ship (live on board) until the quarantine period ends and a PCR examination will be carried out again on the 4th day of quarantine.

In addition, Coordinating Minister Luhut also explained that quarantine financing would be carried out independently for all incoming international flight passengers and none would be financed by the government.

"Therefore, before boarding to Bali/Kepri, they must show proof of booking a hotel/villa/ship," he said.

Prior to the arrival of international travelers to Bali and Riau Islands, they must have health insurance with a minimum coverage value of IDR 1 billion and includes financing for handling COVID-19.

Finally, Coordinating Minister Luhut advised the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), governor, military commander, and Bali Police Chief to coordinate and immediately complete technical preparations for the arrival of international travel to Bali.

Furthermore, a Circular Letter (SE) will soon be issued by BNPB which regulates in more detail the international travel regulations.