In preparing for the influx of tourists expected to enter Bali for the year-end holiday, the Central Government has issued new regulations for domestic travelers upon entry. Effective December 18, all arrivals at Nurah Rai International Airport must provide a negative PCR test result taken no longer than two days prior to departure.
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yatika)
A virtual meeting was held on Monday (14/12) to discuss new Covid-19 prevention measures in Jakarta, West Java, East Java, Central Java and Bali.
The Coordinator of Maritime and Investment Minister, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated that PCR tests will be required for travelers entering Bali via air travel. For those entering by land, an antigen test will be required. For approval of entry, all tests must show a negative result completed a maximum of two days prior to departure.
Luhut explained that the new measures must be taken in order to restrain the surge in Covid-19 cases expected for the holiday season. Bali is estimated to receive more than 380 thousand arrivals through the Ngurah Rai International Airport.
As Deputy Chief of the National Covid-19 Handling Task Force and Economic Recovery, Luhut reminds all hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and rest areas in Bali to implement prevention protocols while operating.
The new protocols will be in effect from Friday December 18, 2020 to Friday January 4, 2021.
Following the government’s announcement, many people expressed their disappointment through social media. The reaction derived from the added expenses to travelers, as PCR tests are more costly than rapid tests, and many travelers had prepared a rapid test result prior to the annoucement, as they thought it would be sufficient for entering Bali.
Consequently, some domestic tourists have resorted to canceling their bookings.
Source: The Bali Sun
