Source: Reuters
Indonesia has joined Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia in becoming the latest Southeast Asian country to waive a quarantine requirement for all arrivals from abroad. Announcing the move yesterday – effective immediately – Indonesia’s Tourism Minister, Sandiaga Uno, said in a press conference that the decision was made after the success of a two-year experimental quarantine exemption program. recent weeks on the islands of Bali, Batam and Bintan. Visitors to the destination are still required to take a COVID-19 test.
However, there is some confusion about future visa policy. Effective March 7, visas on arrival have been made available to tourists from 23 countries, but only to those visiting Bali. From Monday, this has been extended to 42 countries, but it is unclear if visas on arrival will apply outside of Bali. Reuters reported which a senior minister said last week that Bali will soon be joined by Jakarta and Surabaya.
Boasting more than a million visitors a month before the pandemic, Indonesia is considered by many to be the best diving destination in the world. But the country’s diving tourism sector has been ravaged by restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the lifting of quarantine requirements — and the expected return of visas on arrival across the country. country — will be good news for divers and underwater shooters everywhere.
