In a major travel update, Bali and Malaysia, both popular travel destinations, have relaxed their travel curbs for incoming passengers, as the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. Bali has also announced visa-on-arrival services for 23 countries. By Anushka Goel
In Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia have had among the strictest travel curbs to combat the spread of COVID-19. And now, as the third wave of the pandemic recedes, both the nations are introducing relaxation in their travel curbs. While Bali has announced quarantine-free entry for foreign passengers, Malaysia has removed curbs on travellers from Thailand and Cambodia, reports South China Morning Post.
Malaysia relax travel curbs, Bali announces visa-on-arrival for 23 countries
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Indonesia has brought its plan to introduce quarantine-free entry in Bali ahead by a week, reports India.com. The new rule was applied starting Monday, March 7, which also allows passengers from 23 countries, including the USA and the Netherlands, among others, to avail of visa on arrival facilities in Bali. A spokesperson for Indonesia’s Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Ministry also stated that President Joko Widodo is yet to decide on the waiver for vaccinated visitors, reports India.com. Prior to this, only Australian travellers were allowed to visit the country and travellers had to quarantine for five days, adds Jakarta Post.
Malaysia, on the other hand, has relaxed travel curbs by allowing vaccinated passengers from Thailand and Cambodia to enter its borders. These travellers will not have to undergo the mandatory quarantine, starting March 15, reports India.com. Further, the country has removed the quarantine ban on passengers from Singapore.
Both Bali and Malaysia rely heavily on the travel and tourism sectors for their economy, and have been hard hit with the pandemic and the world coming to a standstill. Now, with a relaxation in the travel curbs, one can hope that the influx of tourists increases in these countries and the economy slowly inches towards the pre-pandemic days.
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