Indonesia Stays Closed For Tourism Arrivals Until The End Of 2020

Indonesia suspended short term visa exemption and VOA (Visa-On-Arrival) back in March, and there has been plenty of talk, like with all other countries dependent on tourism, when the borders are opened again.

Bali Tourism Association had planned to reopen the island for foreign tourists on September 11, 2020 (read more here), after allowing domestic arrivals first. Now, this plan has been scrapped.

Minister had stated late last week that the current goal of opening the country to foreign tourists would be at the end of 2020.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan had said during a virtual meeting with the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) on Thursday that regulations for a work from Bali plan was currently in the works.

"Foreigners who are IT experts can work from Bali. It's something we're currently considering; not just considering, but we have pushed [the idea]. We [are currently working on] the regulations," Luhut said as quoted by kompas.com.

However, he added that the government had not set an exact date for the program as it was still focusing on stimulating domestic tourism to help revive the industry.

"We won't be welcoming foreign tourists until the end of this year," Nuhut added. (kes)

The goal of opening Bali in early September for foreign arrivals was very optimistic. Domestic tourists can already vacation on the island.

There is not much connectivity to/from Indonesia right now, and many, if not most foreign tourists would need to quarantine for an extended period when returning home.

Let's see if Indonesia opens up before the end of 2020 or if this is further pushed back to 2021.