• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  bali • Indonesia • News • South Africa  >  South Africa + Bali Prepare To Reopen To International Tourists
baliIndonesiaNewsSouth Africa

South Africa + Bali Prepare To Reopen To International Tourists

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 13, 2020 21 Comments

Despite surging cases of COVID-19 around the world, two popular tourist destinations are gearing up to welcome international visitors again. But are Bali and South Africa setting themselves up for failure through a premature tourism reopening?

South Africa Will Re-Open To Worldwide Tourism

South Africa’s economy has struggled under the weight of COVID-19 and tourism accounts for about 8% of GDP and 10% of jobs. Last month, South Africa re-opened its borders to tourism from countries deemed non high-risk.

But South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that citizens of “all countries” will soon be able to visit South Africa:

President #Ramaphosa:
We are also opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative COVID-19 certificate.

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 11, 2020

A negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel will be required. Expect health screenings upon arrival and if travelers exhibit any signs of sickness, testing and potential quarantine will be required (at your cost).

Bali Hints At December International Tourism Reopening

To Indonesia, where tourist-dependent Bali has hinted that international tourism may resume as soon as next month. Tourism contributes 55-60% of the economy in Bali, making the economic threat of continued lockdowns and border closures an even more difficult dilemma.

But this week, Bali Governor Wayan Koster stated that he has been in discussion with the central government over re-opening borders. A memo from that meeting leaked to the press which noted a targeted opening of December 1, 2020. The opening to international tourism would apply only for entry through Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Visitors would be tested upon arrival then transported to a quarantine hotel until results were available, which would be available in as quickly as 3-4 hours.

Dewa Made Indra, the regional secretary of Bali, noted the fine balance at play:

“This is not about whether we are willing or not. If we are willing and permitted to open, we would have done it from way before because this is crucial for our economy. But the central government is still evaluating our readiness, so that we don’t open up and it results in cases escalating. If that’s the case we wouldn’t be benefiting, but incurring losses.”

Neither Balinese or Indonesian officials have made a formal announcement.

CONCLUSION

South Africa and Bali will likely soon be re-opened to international tourism. Expect testing prior to arrival or on arrival, potential limited quarantines, but finally a chance to visit two wonderful parts of the world. Testing is not foolproof, but both Bali and South Africa should serve as helpful test cases for wider scale reopenings of international tourism in 2021. Hopefully these reopenings will result in progress, not further setbacks.

Previous Article The Dynamic Duo In Lufthansa First Class
Next Article Details: How Credit Card Spending Will Count Toward United Airlines Elite Status

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Cuts Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita Route Ahead Of Haneda Launch

    February 6, 2023
  • United Airlines Newark Collision

    United Airlines 787-9 Collides With 757-200 At Newark Airport

    February 3, 2023
  • Hong Kong Plans Tourist Blitz With 500,000 Free Airline Tickets

    February 2, 2023

21 Comments

  1. ghostrider5408 Reply
    November 13, 2020 at 7:52 pm

    Crazy simply crazy.

  2. Paolo Reply
    November 13, 2020 at 10:07 pm

    You would have to be INSANE to contemplate a trip to Bali over the next few months.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 13, 2020 at 10:19 pm

      Would Australia even let you travel there?

      • sarah Reply
        November 19, 2020 at 8:12 am

        Australian citizens. cannot leave Australia, they have not been able to since the end of March. There are exceptions but general International travel is not permitted and the airports are all but closed except skeleton services for absolute essential workers etc. So, no, no one in Australia will be vising Bali for a holiday until Australia’s International borders open which will probably not be until there is a vaccine.

    • Ayu Reply
      November 13, 2020 at 11:42 pm

      I live in Bali. I stayed at Westin Hotel and Resort in Nusa Dua in September 2020, Royal Pitamaha Resort in Ubud in October, Trans Hotel in Seminyak and Sofitel Hotel and Resort in Nusa Dua this month. All hotels applying health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19. I was very comfortable staying at those hotels. They are ready to accept guests. Fyi, Bali has very low cases of Covid-19.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        November 13, 2020 at 11:50 pm

        To me, it sounds like an ideal time to visit Bali. Wish I could…

        • Paolo Reply
          November 14, 2020 at 12:41 am

          No, the Australian borders remain closed. Even when they reopen, it’s likely there’ll be some form of quarantine requirement upon return
          One million Australians go to Bali every year; that’s the lifeblood of the economy.
          But there has been a surge in cases over the past few days, and with only 18000 tests/million ( cf Australia 380,099) there is a very strong likelihood that things will get much worse, very soon..
          Australia is about to announce a major foreign aid initiative with a focus on the provision of vaccines for SEA countries ( most likely Indonesia, Timor L’Este, Cambodia, Laos, maybe Vietnam).
          But likely mid ‘21 before Bali is back on the horizon.
          It’s a very sad situation

          • emercycrite
            November 14, 2020 at 1:57 am

            The Balinese economy must really be reeling from the cessation of all tourism from Australia.

  3. Willy Reply
    November 13, 2020 at 11:39 pm

    Perfect time to travel internationally. I’m going to Machu Pichu right after Thanksgiving. The lack of hoards of tourists is once in a lifetime. Hoping all the nervous nellies continue to sit at home. Maybe I need to plan a trip to Bali, too!

  4. Sean M. Reply
    November 14, 2020 at 10:52 am

    I had a last minute trip to Johannesburg last week. I have a pre-existing Business Visitor Visa (pre-COVID) so fortunately no issues with needing a new special DHA approval/exemption despite my passport being from a “high risk” red list country.

    Flew in on Ethiopian and the PCR test results were checked before issuing my initial boarding pass, as well as before boarding for the connecting flight in Addis.

    On arrival, the PCR test was checked at the door of the aircraft and then that was it. No further checks or questions. Health declaration form was collected just before immigration and the immigration officers were actually friendly and efficient. With no checked bags, it took me exactly 12 minutes from exiting the aircraft door at A3 to picking up my rental car from Avis.

    Airport was an absolute ghost town with 90% of shops closed. Things are surprisingly normal in town though with most restaurants and offices functioning as usual but with enhanced protocols such as mask usage, hand sanitising stations and temperature checks.

    On departure, all airlines have been relocated to check-in area “B” to conserve electricity. Most elevators and escalators are also shut down, so expect lengthy detours if traveling with luggage or needing wheelchair access. The only lounge open that I could find was the Mashonza Lounge via Priority Pass. Again, virtually nothing open other than the main Big Five Duty Free shop. Runway 3R was the only one in use for both arrivals and departures, so lengthy taxi times can be expected.

    • Willy Reply
      November 14, 2020 at 12:44 pm

      Wow, thanks for the great info! Time to plan a trip to South Africa also. So many great places to go now that are devoid of nervous tourists!

    • Hakeem Reply
      November 15, 2020 at 7:23 am

      Hey Willy,

      Did your negative COVID test result get scrutinized for authenticity? As long as it has the required signature of a health care practitioner, that should be enough no? Or should I laminate the test result paper to give it a more ‘finished look’? I know, silly questions… but I’ve been waiting to come across a comment like yours for a while now.

      Thanks

  5. AJ Reply
    November 14, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    What hotel is pictured/painted at the top of the post?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 14, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      Just a stock photo. Believe that is a CGI.

  6. Lea Reply
    November 14, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    Hi everyone,
    Hello, yes everyone have a choice where to travel.
    Bali is safe but you must follow the protocol .

    Stay safe

  7. Chrissy Koulouris Reply
    November 14, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    Due to time constraints I wasn’t able to visit South Africa during my trip to Mauritius last year. Will be checking updates now as to when the county will reopen for tourists. Thanks for the announcement!

  8. Bevan foot Reply
    November 15, 2020 at 2:01 am

    Bali needs to open as quickly as possible to international tourism.
    But proper checks need to be done
    Australia also needs to open for certain countries plus a return to Bali asap!!!

  9. NICK Reply
    November 15, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    Welcome to Tanzania the land of Kilimanjaro and Serengeti, a destination with a safe travel stamp from world travel and tourism.

  10. Jerry Reply
    November 15, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    I spent two weeks in PVR in October. In many ways, it’s very much like Bali. I had a great trip, worked during the week from my airbnb, ate outdoors, and enjoyed life. I get that many people would shame me for that, but at the end of the day PVR and DPS are pretty freaking similar.

    This is a great announcement.

  11. Made Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 8:57 am

    I hope this pandemic gone quickly and tourism sector over the world recover very soon especially for Bali.

  12. Pingback: แอฟริกาใต้ + บาหลี เตรียมเปิดท่องเที่ยว // ออสเตรเลีย ปิดต่อ นร. ก็ไม่ให้เข้า | GoNoGuide News – Travelsogo

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines Cuts Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita Route Ahead Of Haneda Launch February 6, 2023
  • Navigating The Touts Of Petra, Jordan February 6, 2023
  • What Annoys Flight Attendants Most… February 6, 2023
  • Mövenpick Resort Petra Review
    Review: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan February 6, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Meal Service: The Sad State Of Affairs January 27, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.