(TAN): Bali has officially reopened for tourism, but only to domestic tourists.
According to media reports, hotel occupancies have fallen to as low as 1-2%, and the island desperately needs tourists to return in order to get its economy up and running. Hotels are offering discounts of as much as 50% to attract visitors.
Australians used to be the largest group of international tourists to Bali, with 1.3 million from the country visiting the island in 2019. The next-largest foreign tourist group was from China with 1.2 million tourists, a report in The Sydney Morning Herald said.
Domestic tourists visiting Bali now will be required to take a coronavirus PCR swab test or a rapid test before travelling, or on arrival, wear a face mask, wash their hands, maintain social distancing and provide their details to the Love Bali website or app.
Bali has recorded 3,360 COVID-19 infections and 48 deaths, latest media reports said.
Indonesia is in discussions with neighbouring countries such as the Philippines to establish “travel bubbles”.
