New Delhi (NVI): Indonesia’s resort island of Bali will remain closed to foreign tourists at least until the end of the year, in view of the rising coronavirus cases in the country.
It was reported earlier that Bali will be reopen for international travellers from September 11, a timeline that has been scrapped as of now.
The government of Indonesia is still considering whether to open Bali to foreign visitors in September, with the tourists’ favourite haven shut since April to curb the spread of the virus .
Although, the government agrees that reopening the country to international tourists is a positive move, but seeking for the right timing to do that.
“The Minister of Law and Human Rights still has not allowed foreign tourists to enter Indonesia,” said the head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Putu Astawa.
“As long as this regulation has not been revoked, the plan to open Bali on September 11 cannot go ahead,” he added.
Meanwhile, the resort island began to welcome back domestic tourists on July 31, with appropriate health and safety protocols in place, but their return cannot offset the absence of foreigners.
The country is strengthening its domestic tourism by developing other tourist spots.
However, tourism is the main source of income for Bali and foreign holidaymakers, who generate billions of dollars in revenue, remain a critical part of Indonesia’s economy. About 6.3 million foreign tourists visited Bali last year.
The world’s fourth-most populous country continues to see large daily increases in the number of new COVID-19 cases, which now total 1,35,000, with just over 6,000 deaths.
