Indonesia is Open...sort of

[aquabluegreg]

Indonesia is Open...sort of

Thought I'd post a bit of positive news regarding Indonesia.
I received this in a newsletter from Lembeh Resort and their sister resort Murex Bangka.

If you are interested in making a reservation for 2022 at Lembeh Resort, consider this and shoot is a note:

CAPTURING CRITTERS 2022​

Our tenth annual underwater photography workshop takes place in January 2022 and for the first time we have two back-to-back workshops scheduled! To mark the 10th anniversary we will, of course, be hosting three more world-class Photo Pros who will be with us for both workshops: Erin Quigly, Joel Penner, and Jennifer Penner. The week-long workshops will be packed with incredible diving, presentations from the Pro’s and one on one instruction and feedback.

The BIG Question is "what is a Social Visa"?

Here's what I have found:​

The purpose of a social-cultural visa is to visit friends or relatives or to participate in a social, cultural or educational exchange. Its holders are not allowed to conduct any business activities in Indonesia.

The requirements for an Indonesia social visa are simple and easy to meet. All you need to do is prepare the following required documents:

• A valid passport with a minimum validity of 12 months from the date of entry into Indonesia
• A completed visa application form
• A bank statement or other evidence showing enough fund to cover travel expenses in Indonesia
• A coloured photograph (passport size)
• Travel itinerary
• Evidence of obligation in the applicant’s country of permanent residence (can be written by an employer, a school, etc.)

The above info was taken directly from Cekindo website: Social Visa Indonesia: How to get a Sponsor? - Cekindo

The Newsletter starts here:​

We've been as busy as ever during the pandemic period! We started by carrying out renovations which we had planned including replacing the roof and flooring in the restaurant. We then began rolling out extensive staff training in new covid19 procedures and gaining our CHSE certification from the Indonesian Government. CHSE is the new covid19 certification for Cleanliness, Hygiene, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability - which we passed with flying colors! We've also been ensuring the resort remains pristine and carrying out a lot of maintenance projects - covering everything from boats to air conditioners! Rather than closing our doors, we opted to stay open and keep as many of our staff employed as possible. We've been servicing the domestic market and welcoming guests from North Sulawesi, Jakarta, Bali, and other parts of Indonesia! ​

​

The last month has seen some BIG changes regarding travel to Indonesia! The successful rollout of COVID vaccinations across the archipelago has put Indonesia in the top 10 countries with the highest number of vaccinations administered in the world. As a result, travel restrictions are starting to ease. Here are the recent changes:

• Social & Business Visas are now available: Visas need to be applied for at the Indonesian embassy in your home country, you need to be vaccinated against COVID19, and a negative PCR test is needed prior to travel.
• Quarantine at Murex Bangka & coming soon at Lembeh Resort! Lembeh Resort has been inspected and passed the requirements for international travelers to spend the currently required 8 days quarantine with us. We are now just awaiting final confirmation - watch this space! Our partner, Murex Bangka has already received final confirmation and, for divers wishing to travel immediately, we are able to offer packages including quarantine at Bangka prior to your stay at Lembeh Resort. Why spend 8 days quarantining in a hotel in Jakarta or Manado when you can quarantine on a tropical island? Contact us for more information about packages.
• Direct flights from Singapore: Singapore Airline's subsidiary Scoot Air is flying direct from Singapore to Manado and transit via Singapore is now available again for international travelers to Indonesia!

 

[Indah]

Look here for the real regulations. Which will be adjusted soon probably. https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/

 

[Blackcrusader]

For most people who are tourists they do not have enough vacation time to spend 8 days in quarantine then be allowed out. Many people only have 2 - 4 weeks vacation a year so spending 8 days of a two week vacation time in quarantine would make many people think twice. I run my own business and have clients in Indonesia so getting a visa is not an issue. Many countries still class Indonesia as a Red Alert country and people face quarantine also when returning from there. I would have to do 14 days in a special quarantine facility and not a normal quarantine hotel if I visit Indonesia. That is a lot of quarantine time.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Look here for the real regulations. Which will be adjusted soon probably. https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/

The security on my device will not let me enter and advises that the site is not encrypted, therefore do not enter any personal info that could be stolen. Good advice, lol.

Regardless how willing I am to follow that advice, my device will not open the site anyway.

 

[GF99/99]

This is nothing new.

Indonesia has been open for foreigners with B211A visa since 2020. I have entered and left Indonesia several times this way. Also just because the Bali airport is supposedly going to start international flights does not actually mean Bali is open. Everything is the exact same as it has been since last year just now you can fly to DPS not CGK but honestly it really does not make that much of a difference. I'm really not to sure why there is so much hype about it.

 

[Dan]

The difference now perhaps we can go diving during those 5 days of quarantine?

 

[Indah]

The difference now perhaps we can go diving during those 5 days of quarantine?

Not based on any official regulation. Latest official news: 5 days in room. Bali is reopening to tourists, but nervous locals wonder what the future will bring

 

[GF99/99]

The difference now perhaps we can go diving during those 5 days of quarantine?

Sadly no. Having already done the quarantine myself and I actually have a friends sitting in quarantine right now I can confirm that Indonesia actually makes you do a realy quarantine.

You are stuck in your hotel room the entire time. Police and security in the quarantine hotels. They drop food off at your door 3 times a day and they offer laundry service for your clothing and fresh towels etc. when you need them.

Depending on the hotel and the rules some allow GoJek/Grab deliveries and depending on your luck you can also pay the security guy some extra money to get you small supplies from Indomart etc.

 

[Dan]

Well, if that’s the case, it’ll be their loss. I’ll go diving elsewhere then, like I have done 8 times in the last 11 months. No biggy.

 

[Dan]

Really! LOL.
Tourism contribute 6.1% of the country annual GDP in 2019.
Your contribution is negligent.

I bet I won’t be the only one.