Bali Closed to International Tourists until End of 2020

Bali will not reopen to international tourists for the remainder of the year, Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced on Sunday, due to coronavirus concerns.

Indonesia’s popular tourist destination originally planned to reopen next month, but extended the ban until 2021 after a rise in cases in neighboring Java.

“The situation in Indonesia is not conducive to allow international tourists to visit the country, including Bali,” Koster said in a recent statement.

The statement did not specify when Bali would reopen to foreign travelers but said Indonesia would not be open to international tourists “until end of 2020,” and will require “care, prudence, not to be rushed, and… careful preparation,” Koster continued.

Domestic travelers have been allowed to visit the island since Aug. 1, with about 2,500 tourists per day landing at the Bali airport. Visitors must present a negative rapid antibody test result that is no more than 14 days old to be granted entry and show no outward symptoms of COVID-19, such as a dry cough or fever.

Indonesia has reported more than 172,000 coronavirus infections and nearly 7,500 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.

“We cannot open the gate to international travelers until the end of 2020 as the situation in Indonesia, including Bali, is not yet safe to welcome them,” Koster said.