29 December 2020 

Following many other countries that have banned international travellers from visiting since a new variant of Covid-19 was discovered in the UK weeks ago; the Indonesia authority has announced to shut all of its borders (including Bali) per 1 – 14 January 2020. According to various scientific data, this new strain of Covid-19 has a faster spread rate and must be carefully anticipated.

Indonesia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi will put all international flights to Indonesia on hold for the first two weeks on January 2021. Exemptions are only for high-level (ministerial level and above) state visit; this decision was informed after a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (28/12). Next regulation will be announced at the future after re-evaluation and examining global situation.

For foreigners who have been granted e-Visa or Business Visa arriving today until 31 December 2020, must have a negative result of PCR test taken at the latest 48 hours before flight and register at Ehac app. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the document will be re-checked. Another swab test will be conducted. While waiting for the result, the foreign visitors must go through a mandatory quarantine for five days from arrival. If the result is negative, you are allowed to continue your visit in Indonesia, but you will be treated in an appointed hospitals nearby if it’s positive. All of the expenses for test and quarantine sessions will be borne by the visitors. 

Indonesian citizens (WNI) staying abroad are still allowed to return to Indonesia during the closure (1 – 14 January 2021), but with several conditions. Must have a negative result of the PCR test from the departure country, must have a negative result of PCR test taken at the latest 48 hours before flight and register at Ehac app. Another Swab test must be taken upon arrival and undergo mandatory quarantine session for five days in the government’s appointed places. 

The latest figure of Covid-19 Per Monday (28/12), there were 138 new infections in Bali, which make total cases on the island 17.237. New recoveries at 131, in total 15.793 with four recent death was reported, in total 508. While in Indonesia, there were 5.854 of new cases which make total cases in the country 719.219. Recent recoveries at 6.302, in total 589.978. New deaths at 215, and in total 21.452.