Indonesian Tourism Minister, Sandiaga Uno, plans to vaccinate 70% of Bali’s population in preparation of reopening for international tourism.
As the rollout of vaccines has begun, the government intends to accelerate the process.
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yaika)
The travel bubble constitutes two or more adjacent countries facilitating tourism access aligned by mutual agreement in entry protocols.
“We will distribute the vaccine to at least 70% of the total 4 million Bali population, so we can open the travel bubble just as New Zealand recently did” Sandiaga Uno said during a webinar, on Economic Outlook KAHMI Preneur 2021 on Sunday (3/1).
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yaika)
Sandiaga used New Zealand as a prime example as the nation committed to opening a travel bubble with Australia in Q1 of this year, whereas there is no significant increase in COVID-19 cases.
The Minister hopes to establish a travel bubble with neighbouring Singapore.
This means Singaporean tourists will be able to move freely in Bali, but not other parts of Indonesia, and vice versa.
The travel bubble also eliminates the requirement of self-quarantine given a negative PCR test result upon entry.
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yaika)
“If Singapore is ready, we can pair it with Bali,” Sandiaga Uno added.
He also stated that he would make another visit to Bali mid-January to meet with the Indonesian Health Minister and the International Affairs Minister to review reopening procedures.
The government expects to receive 7 million tourists in 2021, as compared to the 18 million estimated prior to the pandemic.
“I think we can aim for a more reasonable number this year as the world economy tries to recover” Sandiaga Uno concluded.
(Image: ©The Bali Sun – I Wayan Yaika)
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