Yes, including Bali.
First, it was the Bunning Sausage sizzle suspended and now Bali – how much more can Perth take? Reports from 9 News confirm Indonesia has announced a stop to foreign tourists entering the country as of Friday due to their coronavirus crisis.
Twitter: Indonesia, including Bali, announces clamp down
Not that given the current situation of the worldwide pandemic would we see the normal amount of people wanting to travel overseas, Indonesia’s closed borders though will be implemented from Friday and lasting for at least a month.
This means that foreign travellers to Indonesia, including tourism hotspot Bali will not be allowed the usual visa-free short stays or visas on arrival.
Travellers that still need to visit Indonesia will instead have to comply with embassies in their own countries and provide health certificates – no doubt making the process too long and complicated.
The latest coronavirus statistics put Indonesia at over 170 confirmed cases with estimated 5 known deaths, though there has been widespread belief their testing has been inadequate in recent weeks. Suggesting the total of confirmed cases and death total could be much higher.
Given Indonesia is so reliant on tourism as a main source of revenue for the local economy. Already with fears of Indonesia’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak and now the closing of borders with mean hard times are ahead for local tourism businesses as the streets of Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu will be void of tourist.
While the ban will last for at least a month – if the borders are opened up, the time to build trust in not only Indonesia but travel in general, plus financial circumstances for Australian travellers could take longer.
This is also just days off the back of Gili Islands closing off to Bali to ensure the islands were able to stop the spread of the coronavirus from the Bali mainland.
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