Report: Bali to scrap quarantine for fully vaccinated tourists

While this is pending official confirmation, it looks likely that Bali will reopen to quarantine-free travel and restart its visa-on-arrival scheme from 7 March 2022.

Per a report in Antara, a no-quarantine trial will replace the current  “warm-up vacation” scheme (a lifetime doublespeak award to whoever came up with that asinine terminology), under which travellers have to isolate for at least three days on arrival, even if vaccinated and boosted. 

Bali to lift quarantine requirement?

Here’s what the proposed quarantine-free arrangement will look like. As a caveat- it looks likely this will happen (Loyalty Lobby has an image of the release from the Governor of Bali), but I wouldn’t consider it official until it appears on Bali’s tourism page.

Under the proposal, from Monday, 7 March 2022 fully vaccinated tourists (a booster may be required, but this is yet to be confirmed) may travel to Bali without quarantine. They will be required to take three PCR tests:

1. Within 48 hours prior to departure
2. On arrival in Bali
3. On Day 3

While isolation is required after the on-arrival test in Bali, once a negative result is received the tourist is free to explore the whole island. Another PCR test will be done on Day 3 (no isolation required), and if that result is negative, the tourist can travel elsewhere in Indonesia.

All visitors must make a hotel booking of at least four days (i.e. three nights), and download and use the PeduliLindungi contact tracing app.

While Bali suspended its visa-on-arrival facility for tourists at the start of COVID, this could also be resumed from 7 March for nationals of the following countries:

A visa-on-arrival costs US$35, and is valid for 30 days (I distinctly remember that Singaporeans didn’t need to pay for this pre-COVID, so it remains to be seen if that continues). There is no visa requirement for those who carry an APEC Business Travel Card. 

Singapore-Bali travel: Total testing costs

Travellers from Singapore to Bali can expect to do up to five PCR tests in total which will cost up to S$190. It may be possible to combine your Day 3 PCR test with the pre-departure test requirement, although it depends on what format the result is provided in. 

Fortunately, the Indonesian government caps the maximum price of a PCR test in Bali to IDR 275,000 (~S$26), so hopefully the additional PCR tests won’t burn a hole in your wallet. 

For the cheapest pre-departure testing options in Singapore, refer to this post. 

VTL flights to Singapore

Non-stop flights from Singapore to Bali are currently operated by Singapore Airlines and Jetstar, and there’s no restriction on the flight you must take. 

When returning from Bali to Singapore, you must take a VTL flight or else serve a 7-day SHN on return. 

From 16 March 2022, the Indonesia VTL will be extended beyond Jakarta to include Bali.  Singapore Airlines has designated the following flights as VTL services from Bali to Singapore:

From 1 July 2022, SQ 939 will increase its flight frequency to daily flights. 

VTL travel to Singapore

Singapore recently relaxed its border measures for VTL travellers, shortening the relevant travel history period to 7 days and replacing the on-arrival PCR test requirement at Changi Airport with a supervised ART at a QTC/CTC within 24 hours of arrival. Alternatively, VTL travellers can opt to do a DA Tele-ART from the comfort of their own home. 

Also noteworthy is the scrapping of the Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) requirement for the majority of long-term passholders. Only work permit holders and short-term visitors are now required to apply for a VTP.

With these changes, here’s a summary of the requirements for VTL travel to Singapore. 

Fully vaccinated individuals can be exempted from all pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests and SHN requirements when travelling to Singapore with acceptable proof of a COVID-19 infection/recovery within the last 90 days. 

Big news: No more SHN, testing or “14-day stranding” for recently-recovered vaccinated travellers to Singapore

Conclusion

Mark this as unconfirmed for now, but Bali could very well be replacing its “warm-up vacation” with a proper, quarantine-free arrangement from 7 March. This dovetails nicely with Singapore’s commencement of VTL flights from Bali to Singapore on 16 March.

While it’s unfortunate that travellers from Singapore will have to do five COVID-19 tests, it’s somewhere to start, and hopefully the Day 3 test will be eliminated before long or replaced with a self-swab ART instead.

Anyone planning a Bali trip?