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Thanks to the vaccine rollout and the passing tide of Omicron, each week more and more countries are starting to welcome tourists again. Some are more hesitant than others but, by and large, the travel industry seems to be getting back on its feet.
The Indonesian island of Bali is among the latest destinations to reopen to international travellers. From Friday (February 4), holidaymakers will be allowed back onto Indonesia’s most popular tourist island.
To some, this might seem a little like déjà vu. After all, Bali announced it would reopen to international visitors back in October – but only to those from a select few countries, and with rather strict conditions.
Those countries included New Zealand, Japan, China, South Korea, Qatar and the UAE. From Friday, however, Bali will welcome visitors from all countries. Which all sounds bloomin’ marvellous, eh?
The catch is that all travellers to Bali will need to show full proof of vaccination and obtain a visa before entry. Visitors also have to quarantine for five days at their own expense.
Bali originally expected to reopen in September 2020 but, owing to a severe second wave, that never actually happened. Indonesia has been one of Asia’s worst-hit countries, recording more than four million cases and 142,000 deaths during the pandemic. While cases in Indonesia are currently on the rise, Bali has the country’s highest vaccination rate – with 90 percent of Balians having had two vaccine doses.
With its aquamarine waters, thriving coral reefs and endless beachside surf huts, Bali is a picture-postcard tropical hideaway. And now, for pretty much anyone, anywhere, it could all be under a week away.