Open to 19 nations – Bali welcomes guests from Liechtenstein – but not from Switzerland
Bali welcomes guests from Liechtenstein – but not from Switzerland
Thailand is also opening its borders to vaccinated tourists from five countries. But this destination also remains taboo for Swiss travelers – in contrast to German holidaymakers.
Bali is hoping for a quick revival of short tourism – for the time being without holidaymakers from Switzerland.
Photo: Corola Frentzen (DPA / Keystone / Archive)
The popular Indonesian holiday island of Bali is now once again welcoming fully vaccinated tourists from selected countries. “Following the instructions of the president, we are allowing visitors from 19 countries to travel to Bali and the Riau Islands again,” said a statement from the government’s pandemic commissioner, Luhut Pandjaitan, on Thursday.
The states on the list include India, Japan, New Zealand, Italy, France and Spain, among others. According to the requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO), these states have the coronavirus under control, according to Pandjaitan. Switzerland is not on the list, but Liechtenstein is.
Several conditions must be met
Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali wanted to reopen for international flights on Thursday. Interested holidaymakers when and via Bali or the two airports on the Riau Islands in Batam and Bintan to enter Indonesia. In addition to a vaccination certificate, they need a negative PCR test and a hotel reservation. First of all, when must all holiday guests and five days in quarantine in the booked hotel.
Indonesia has long been one of the worst hit countries in the region. A total of 4.2 million cases have been confirmed so far. Around 143,000 people have died in connection with Covid-19. The important tourism sector has been almost completely on the ground for a year and a half. In 2019, more than six million guests had traveled to the island, which is known for its temples, rice fields and beaches.
Thailand: Only vaccinated people from five countries
The authorities in Thailand have also reacted and confirmed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s touristic opening plan on Thursday. From November 1, fully vaccinated people from five countries will be able to return to the Southeast Asian holiday paradise quarantine-free, said the spokesman for the Covid Crisis Center (CCSA), Taweesilp Visanuyothin, after a meeting. The countries with the green light are Great Britain, the USA, Singapore, China and Germany – but not Switzerland.
Holiday guests from these states then only need a negative PCR test for entry. Quarantine is no longer necessary. Further details on the exact rules were initially not known. However, more provinces are to be opened to tourists from November, including the capital Bangkok and the popular Krabi province with its islands and white beaches. The exact list is currently being drawn up, reported the Bangkok Post newspaper.
Prayuth announced the planned opening in a televised speech on Monday evening and instructed the CCSA and the Ministry of Health to review the plan by the end of the week. On Thursday he reiterated that Thailand would be ready to open in two weeks.
“Many countries want their citizens to visit Thailand,” he said. “It will be a small beginning so that people die can earn a living again.” Former General Prayuth has been in power since a military coup in 2014.
Tourism is completely on the ground
At the same time, the authorities are announcing further easing of the measures currently still in many parts of the country. The night exit restrictions will be shortened as early as Saturday: Instead of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., they then apply from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Restaurants and shopping centers can thus open longer again.
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