New rules for Bali travel as holiday hotspot reopens to all international travellers

New rules will apply to Bali travel as the Aussie favourite reopens to all international travellers. See what awaits.

Indonesia has tightened restrictions in Bali, Jakarta and Bandung in a bid to slow as surge in Omicron cases.

The country is reporting 30,000 cases a day compared with fewer than 1000 in December, with the government foercasting daily cases to peak by late February or early March.

Under the new rules supermarkets, shopping centres and restaurants will operate at 60 per cent capacity until 9pm, while capacity at houses of worship will be reduced to 50 per cent, senior cabinet minister Luhut Pandjaitan.

According to the Jakarata Post, the government also backed away from its decision to temporarily ban foreign tourists entering the country through Jakarta’s airport.

International travellers could still arrive at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Bali, Batam and Tanjung Pinang in Riau Province.

The announcement comes after Bali reopened to all foreign visitors on February 4

This is what you can expect.

QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS

Fully vaccinated arrivals in Bali will be required to isolate for five days, and unvaccinated arrivals for seven days. Indonesia Travel warns if you test positive for Covid-19 on arrival or the last day of quarantine, you will be transferred to a “centralised isolation facility” if you are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms or taken to a hospital for treatment if you show moderate to severe symptoms. Close contacts such as accompanying family members must then also isolate for 10 days. This may be at significant personal expense. Medical evacuation is very expensive and may not be covered by your travel insurance. Contact your travel provider for up-to-date details.

Empty deck chairs as seen by the beach in Sanur, near Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali. Picture: AFP

WHERE TO STAY

International travellers must stay at government-approved hotels or aboard one of six ships that have been certified by the government. Current Quarantine Bubble Hotels are the Grand Hyatt Bali, The Westin Nusa Dua, Bali; Griya Santrian Beach Resort & Spa, Sanur; Viceroy Bali Luxury Resort, Ubud; Royal Tulip, Springhill Resort. The list is expected to change.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

The government will require foreigners who wish to travel to Bali to have a B211A tourist visit visa with a travel company guarantor. The visa is valid for 60 days (can be extended up to 180 days while in Bali).

The Free Visa Entry or Visa on Arrival (VoA) is put on hold since March 2020.

You will also need to have a negative PCR test result within two days of departure.

Significantly, medical insurance that covers Covid-related expenses is mandatory upon arrival. However the minimum amount of expenses it needs to cover is reduced to $US30,000 ($AU42,000) instead of $US100,000 ($AU140,000).

Clothes and souvenir shops in Poppies street in Kuta, Bali.

ON ARRIVAL

International travellers on direct flights arriving in Bali will be required to follow a number of arrival protocols including proof of vaccination at least 14 days prior to departure, and a PCR test upon arrival at Bali International Airport.

You then must take a PCR test on day four or day six of hotel quarantine. You are clear to leave accommodation on the fifth day pending negative test results of all quarantine guests sharing the same room.

LOCAL RESTRICTIONS

Various travel restrictions are in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The government contact and tracing app Peduli Lindungi is required at the airport, Government buildings, to enter malls and shopping centres hotels, restaurants, public places, sports centres, cinemas and many other businesses. More information here.

Balinese people following prayers at a Chinese temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year in Denpasar on February 1. Picture: AFP

GETTING THERE

In the last two years, virtually no services have been scheduled but that is set to change next month when Jetstar resumes flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Denpasar, followed by Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Perth in April. Fares started at around $200 one-way ex-Sydney, and $300 ex-Melbourne.

“We’re excited that the Indonesian Government has announced its reopening plan for tourists and we’re waiting on further detail on what the specific entry and quarantine requirements will be,” a Jetstar spokeswoman said.

“Once we have clarity, we will provide an update if there are any changes to our Bali flights.”

Qantas and Virgin Australia are also set to return to Bali in late March, providing the demand is sufficient.