Bali scraps Day 3 PCR test and minimum 3-night stay requirement

Quarantine-free travel to Bali is now even simpler, with the Indonesian Government deciding to remove the Day 3 PCR test and the requirement to book a minimum 3-night stay at a CHSE-approved property.

This reduces the number of COVID-19 tests that visitors from Singapore must take to four: 

• 2x PCR tests on the way to Bali
• 2x ARTs on the way to Singapore (further reduced to one from 1 April 2022, under Singapore’s new Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) programme). 

While virtually every major hotel in Bali was already CHSE-approved, travellers will now be able to choose from a wider range of accommodations including Airbnb villas, with the freedom to change hotels every night if they wish. There is no longer the need for a trip to be at least three nights in duration.

These changes have already come into effect. 

Bali scraps Day 3 test and minimum stay requirement

Indonesia recently updated its travel health protocols (link in Bahasa) to remove quarantine requirements across the whole country. Fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter Indonesia via the following ports of entry:

• Airports
  • Bali (Denpasar)
  • Jakarta
  • Lombok
  • Manado
  • Riau Islands (Batam & Bintan)
  • Surabaya
• Seaports 
  • Batam
  • Benoa Bali
  • Bintan
  • Nunukan, North Borneo
  • Tanjung Pinang

As part of the update, Bali has scrapped its Day 3 PCR test requirement, along with the need to book a minimum 3-night stay at a CHSE-approved property. Travellers can now book any accommodation they wish, with no minimum duration of stay. 

Other requirements remain, namely the need to be fully vaccinated (no booster jab is required, and children aged below 18 are exempt) with a recognised vaccine. 

All travellers must also:

• purchase travel insurance with at least S$20,000 coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses
• complete a customs declaration form (e-CD)
• download the PeduliLindungi contact tracing app (Android | iOS) and complete an in-app health declaration (e-HAC)
• verify their vaccination status online, which can then be uploaded to the PeduliLindungi app

A total of two PCR tests will be required on the way to Bali: 

1. Within 48 hours prior to departure (see options here)
2. On arrival in Bali at the airport (pre-book here if not included with your hotel rate)

On arrival in Bali, travellers take a PCR test (IDR 275,000/S$26; it may already be included with the hotel package you booked) and head directly to their hotel to wait for the results.  This should take up to 6 hours, though I’m still waiting for more data points. 

Following the receipt of a negative result, they will be free to explore the whole of Bali, or travel elsewhere in Indonesia.

For travellers who test positive on arrival:

• Those with no symptoms/ mild symptoms will be sent for isolation in designated isolation hotels or centralised isolation facilities
• Those with moderate/ severe symptoms will be transferred to a hospital for treatment

All costs of treatment will be borne by the traveller (except for Indonesian citizens). 

Do you need a visa?

While Bali suspended its visa-on-arrival facility for tourists at the start of COVID, this has been resumed from for nationals of the following countries:

A visa-on-arrival costs IDR 500,000 and is valid for 30 days with the option to extend it for a further 30 days. This is paid for at Bali Airport upon arrival.

Singaporeans were previously exempt from this fee prior to COVID, but are currently required to pay. There is no visa requirement for those who carry an APEC Business Travel Card with Indonesia listed as one of the countries on the back. 

If your nationality is not covered under visa-on-arrival, you will still need to apply for a visit visa (B211A). This is valid for 60 days and can be extended up to four times, for 30 days each time.

Singapore – Bali travel: Total testing costs

Travellers from Singapore to Bali can expect to do up to four COVID-19 tests in total, which should cost around S$130. 

This will be reduced to three COVID-19 tests from 1 April 2022, when Singapore eliminates on-arrival testing as part of its Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF). 

It is possible to combine your on-arrival PCR test with the pre-departure test requirement, should your departure be within 2 days of your arrival date. A sample of the certificate is given below, note how it features the name and date of birth.

Unfortunately, travellers in Indonesia are not permitted to take remotely-supervised ARTs at the moment. 

Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days may be exempt from pre-departure testing when traveling to Singapore, subject to presenting documentary proof.

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

Travel from Bali to Singapore

From now till 31 March 2022, travellers from Bali to Singapore must take designated VTL flights to avoid a quarantine on arrival, as per the rules below.

From 1 April 2022, travellers may take any flight to Singapore, as per the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) rules below. 

For the full details of travel under the VTF, refer to the article below.

Goodbye VTLs, hello VTF: Singapore reopens borders to all fully vaccinated travellers

Conclusion

Bali has scrapped its Day 3 PCR test requirement and minimum 3-night booking at a CHSE-approved hotel, effective immediately. This makes short trips viable again (although who spends just two nights in Bali?), and gives travellers a wider choice of accommodation. 

Don’t forget that Singapore Airlines is currently offering 30% off awards to Bali, for travel in April and May 2022. Economy and Business Class tickets start at just 5,250 and 13,300 miles each way, and I’ll probably be booking one of these for a short trip in early April. 

Stay tuned for a trip planning post!