Ngurah Rai Airport Opened For International October 14, Bali Dispar Ready To Welcome Foreign Tourists

ILLUSTRATION/ANTARA DOC/I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Bali

DENPASAR - Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, I Putu Astawa, welcomed the central government's decision to open flights to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, for international flights on October 14.

But Dispar Bali admitted that he had not received complete information about the details of the opening of the international gate through Ngurah Rai Airport.

"If it's Mr. Luhut who says that, the center is fine. But I haven't received any official information. If that's true, we'll just follow Mr. Luhut's (policy)", said Astawa when contacted, Monday, October 4.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Island of the Gods to welcome the opening of international flight gates and the entry of foreign tourists aka foreign tourists have been prepared.

“The important thing is to be prepared so that there are no new variants. So that there are no new waves that will arise from the plan", Astawa added.

"That's why SOPs at the airport, then vaccinations, CHSE (in the businesses of tourism players), also the implementation of the prokes that need to be prepared. So far, Bali is ready for foreign tourist visits. What is clear about the opening discourse, I don't know exactly", said Astawa.

The Bali Provincial Government has issued several policies such as accelerated vaccination for the community, issuing Cleanliness, Health, Safety & Environment Sustainability (CHSE) certifications in tourism businesses such as hotels and others.

Green zones are also prepared in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Sanur, Denpasar, and in the Nusa Dua area, Badung Regency including preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.

In addition, the Bali Provincial Government has prepared quarantine hotels for foreign tourists who have been exposed to COVID-19.

"About, the discourse on health quarantine. If the center has been 8 days if I'm not mistaken. I don't know exactly what's new for Bali", said Astawa.

I Ngurah Rai Airport Opens Again for International Flights

The government added entrances for foreign travel. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said I Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali will be opened for international travel in mid-October.

This he conveyed in the announcement of the extension of the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) in Java and Bali from 5 to 18 October 2021.

"Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport will be opened internationally on October 14, 2021, as long as it fulfills the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, testing, and the readiness of the task force", Luhut said in a virtual press conference, Monday, October 4.

Luhut said that every international arrival passenger must have proof of a hotel booking for a minimum of 8 days of quarantine at their own expense.

"The countries that we will open will consist of several countries such as South Korea, China, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, then New Zealand", he continued.

In the previous implementation of PPKM, the government limited the arrival of international travelers at the National Border Post (PLBN), ports, and airports.

For airports that are opened only at Soekarno Hatta and Sam Ratulangi Airports, Manado. Ports are only opened at Batam and Nunukan ports. Also, National Border Post is only opened at Entikong and Aruk Terminals.