An employee from the Karangasem Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) has admitted that many domestic visitors have canceled their hotel reservations in response to the new entry requirement.
The Head of Karangasem PHRI, I Wayan Kariasa confirmed that many domestic travelers have decided to cancel their bookings after the central government recently revoked rapid antigen tests as an entry requirement. Instead, they announced that both international and domestic visitors who plan to visit the island are required to test negative from Covid-19 with a PCR test.
“We just felt happiness when domestic visitors began to come recently, but the new travel policy has disappointed us,” Kariasa said on Saturday (23/10). By following per under the Home Affairs Minister’s Decree Number 53 – The year 2021 that was just published on Thursday (21/10), the central government has recently revised its travel policy for domestic travelers who plan to visit the island via air. Kariasa also said that many travelers have complained about this travel policy as they were not prepared with the additional stretch in their budget for this pricey Covid-19 test.
“Visitors from Surabaya and Jakarta who previously made reservations in Karangasem became reluctant to travel due to this expensive Covid-19 test, and decided to cancel their bookings,” Kariasa added.
Therefore, he proposes the government evaluate this new policy to help the accommodation businesses survive in Karangasem, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We’re hoping that central government would evaluate this policy, and implement a rapid antigen test document as an entry requirement like it used to be,” Kariasa concluded.
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Ram
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
People were sitting home without much income for more than a year. This may not be the right time for spending on tourism. All borders should be open for vaccinated travelers and bring back business to normalcy. Very poor decision by Indonesia to open only Bali with stringent conditions. It is a very poor decision
Gurkha
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
Classic!
Mark
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
But remember u must quarantine local people to !
Randy
Thursday 28th of October 2021
@Mark, Why should they be within its own borders? A PCR test will tell you the outcome. But just so you know Bali is not a country.
Sam
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
Apparently nobody on here read the article!! Its is more about domestic travelers having to dish out more money and in time to get a PCR test rather than a rapid antigen test.
A 2 x 24 hr for a PCR test regardless if you have been vaccinated twice. This affects travelers between Java and Bali and vice versa. Avoiding a third wave of infection makes perfect sense. Follow the rules and for the safety of everyone and shut up already.
Sanjeev
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
No coming unless you lift the quarantine requirement. Also, only rapid antigen test. If I’m fully vaccinated, isn’t that test good enough? It was for the EU. Apparently, Bali needs stronger restrictions…lol
Randy
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
@Sanjeev, rapid antigen test can be faulty. RT PCR is more accurate.