The Indonesian island has decided to close itself off to international tourism until the end of the year since the coronavirus situation is not improving there.
Bali was set to reopen its beaches, temples and other attractions to foreign tourists from September 11. But the project was postponed.
KEYSTONE
Foreign tourists will not be allowed to travel to Bali before the end of 2020 for lack of improvement on the coronavirus front, announced the governor of the Indonesian island giving up his plan to reopen the “Island of the Gods” to tourism international next month.
“The situation in Indonesia is not favorable enough to allow foreign tourists to visit Indonesia, including (…) Bali,” Island Governor Wayan Koster said in an official document dated Saturday.
Bali has reopened its beaches, temples and other attractions to Indonesian visitors since the end of July and local authorities have announced their intention to welcome foreign tourists again from September 11. But this project has been postponed amid the growing wave of Covid-19 cases detected in Indonesia and the travel restrictions in place in many countries.
No reopening date announced
Jakarta has banned foreign tourists from entering Indonesia since early April. “The central government is supporting (Bali’s) plans to reopen its doors to international tourists. However, this requires great attention, caution, should not be rushed, ”added the Governor of Bali. The official did not announce a new date for the island’s opening to international tourism.
More than 6 million tourists visited Bali in 2019 but the flow of visitors suddenly dried up in early 2020 with the arrival of the pandemic. Many hotels and restaurants have been forced to close or downsize their staff, and many Balinese have returned to agricultural work after losing their jobs in tourism.
Bali has recorded some 4,000 cases of coronavirus infections and 49 deaths. Across Indonesia, at least 6,680 deaths from the virus have been recorded and 153,000 confirmed cases, but experts believe the toll may be much higher due to a limited number of tests carried out in the archipelago. .
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