Fleeing to Paradise during a pandemic

When the season changes in Europe, the sunny summer nights on the terrace and beach escapes are traded to hot choco and staying indoors during rainy days. The leaves fall from the trees in Autumn while temperatures decrease to below zero in the Winter. After the Summer in The Netherlands, we also saw the stormy weather coming and a big cloud was hanging above of us, the second Corona waive was about to come down...

There was only one thing on our minds... getting back to Bali as soon as possible!

First things first, we had to arrange our Visa which was in our case called a KITAS. This is a limited stay visa for foreigners in Indonesia and this document would allow us to stay for 12 months. At the moment there are several types of visas that one can apply for; e.g. business visa, social visa and limited stay visas. Once you have a KITAS, you are able to sponsor people who would like to come to Bali for business and social purposes.

Currently all visas are handled by an E-visa system where you don't need to go to the embassy or immigrations to get your documents. This is one of the covid-proof policy changes that the Indonesian authorities enforces in anticipating to the pandemic.

Here is a link where the visa application procedure is described; https://visa.indonesia.nl/visa-types/limited-stay-visa/how-to-apply-for-a-limited-stay-visa/

Be aware that when you apply independently, you'll need to send in all the correct forms and transfer the corresponding payment accordingly, otherwise you will have to restart the application including a new payment. Therefor I would advise to work with an agent who can also act as a sponsor for your application. A few of our friends are currently in the middle of their application and the Visa is expected before Christmas, how is that for a X-mas present?!

How to get to Bali smoothly?

1) Make sure you have your E-visa with you at all time including your application forms and confirmation letter. It is advisable that some of these documents contain a clear photo of you

2) Download the E-HAC app: https://apps.apple.com/id/app/ehac-indonesia/id1516837421

3) You need to have a valid negative PCR test result to enter into Indonesia. On the Garuda website it states that the test should be valid for 14 days, however I would advise to do the test 48hrs before traveling so you will have your test results in time and it is recent enough to travel, better safe than sorry..

Coming from Amsterdam, I recommend to get your test done at www.Coronalab.eu

You can book an appointment online and they can provide a deep throat swap instead of entire “head rape”, as many of the other PCR test labs do. They even can come to your location too, and you can expect the test results with 24 hours.

Make sure you have enough snacks and food on you to consume in the flight, as in-flight food & beverage service is limited according to covid regulations.

When arriving in Jakarta...

Usually the transit to Denpasar is from Jakarta, and be ready for a whole lot of check points where you have to show all your documents and also you will be asked to fill in paperwork which will be checked and stamped at the airport multiple times.

It is recommended to buy a ticket to Jakarta first and afterwards get your local flight to Denpasar, after you have quarantined.

1) Make sure you have a pen with you at all times

2) Have your passport number and vessel number ready

3) Wear your facemask

Make sure you have a pen with you at all times

At some point the entire group of arrived passengers will be asked to take a seat in a school setting where the chairs are lined up 1 meter separated from each other. After you have completed the forms (registration and health alert card)...

You may proceed to the front check point desk to hand over your forms.

Have your passport number and vessel number ready

In the waiting que you have to keep distance and your body temperature is scanned by 4 thermo scanners installed in the room. Once it is your turn, they will check your temperature by your finger scan and the temperature will be reported on the documents.

At the last check point you will receive tons of stamps on your documents and then you may finally proceed to the baggage claim.

Needless to say that you have to wear your facemask at all times!

Be prepared!

In the very last minutes of 2020, the government has imposed new quarantine regulations for travelers to Indonesia until 31st of December. The reason for this is the new strain of Covid-19 virus. Travelers have to quarantine for 5 days in a specified hotel in Jakarta and take another PCR test in your hotel room. When this test is negative, and you receive the confirmation by the next day, you'll need a check-out document from the hotel that you have completed your quarantaine and have done your PCR in the hotel. Only then after at least 5 days, you will have green light to enter the airport again to resume your travels to Denpasar.

In addition, it is recommended by the government to take another rapid test when arriving in Denpasar airport. All foreigners entering Indonesia from 1-14 January are banned, so borders are only open for Indonesian residents and KITAS/KITAP holders and diplomates however also they need to quarantine. There are ways to skip quarantaine in Jakarta however I strongly recommend to obey as one should act responsibly during this pandemic.

Currently the foreign travel ban have been withdrawn by the government but there are plenty of new restrictions coming up in the course of 2021 so buckle up for more unexpected turbulence for traveling to Bali.

Traveling during the current times of the Covid-19 pandemic means a higher responsibility than usually expected. If you are willing to take the effort and you can afford the hassle then it is worth the challenge. Be responsible and consider to stay here for at least 3 months and embrace that you are one of the lucky ones that should count their blessings into the new year of 2021.

Have a happy New Year!