BALI, INDONESIA, August 25, 2020 (BBC): The Indonesian island of Bali will not open to foreign tourists again this year, due to coronavirus concerns. Authorities of the popular holiday destination had earlier said foreign visitors would be allowed to return from next month. But the plan has been scrapped over concerns about Indonesia’s mounting Covid-19 cases. The move has renewed worries about the impact on residents in an economy heavily dependent on tourism. Millions of foreigners fly to Bali each year in search of deserted beaches, terraced rice fields and sprawling Hindu temples. But their numbers have dropped sharply since Indonesia closed its borders to non-residents, like other countries battling with the pandemic.
“The situation in Indonesia is not conducive to allow international tourists to visit the country, including Bali,” said the island’s governor, Wayan Koster, in a recent statement. The statement did not specify when Bali would reopen to foreign travelers but said Indonesia would not be open to international tourists “until end of 2020.” The governor said reopening would require “prudency” and careful preparation, because failure could damage the island’s recovery and reputation. Bali had reported 4,576 coronavirus infections and 52 deaths as of Monday. The decision by Bali’s governor is the latest blow to millions of Balinese, whose livelihood has been battered by the pandemic since March. Tourism contributes about 80% to the province’s economy. More than six million foreigners visited the island last year.