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India to Receive Tourists Again, Bali Reopening & More: Wego Recaps Travel News

2021-10-11 13:45

Coronavirus-related news continues to make headlines around the world. From the UK accepting vaccine certificates from more countries to New Zealand’s latest entry rule, here are some of the major travel news highlights last week.

Bali to reopen its international airport

International travellers may soon be able to visit Bali as officials have announced plans to reopen Bali Ngurah Rai Airport for international arrivals from a select number of countries starting from 14 October. However, Indonesia’s minister of maritime affairs and investment, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, has not clarified whether foreign tourists would be among the permitted arrivals. 

Currently, international travel to Indonesia is limited to several countries under highly specific circumstances, including the UAE, South Korea, China, Japan, and New Zealand.

Vaccine certificates mandatory for New Zealand entry

In a press conference, New Zealand’s premier Jacinda Ardern announces changes to the country’s international entry requirements starting from the first of November. The New Zealand authorities will require all international arrivals to have been fully vaccinated as proven by their vaccine certificates.  

Until November, only New Zealand residents and citizens are allowed into the country without first requesting to travel. Exceptions extend to partners and dependents of New Zealand residents, along with critical workers. 

UK to accept vaccine certificates issued in India, Pakistan and others

The UK has announced that starting from 11 October, it will be recognizing vaccine certificates issued in India, Pakistan, Oman, Morocco, along with other Asian, South American, Caribbean, and African countries that were previously ineligible.

Travellers inoculated with one of the UK’s approved vaccines, namely Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), will qualify as fully vaccinated.

India set to issue tourist visas for the first time in 18 months

For the first time in 18 months, India will begin issuing tourist visas for foreign visitors arriving by chartered flights from 15 October, with all other arrivals permitted to enter India starting from 15 November.

The move follows the country’s planned reopening in recent months to travellers on business, diplomat or student visas.

Eight countries moved down to CDC’s level 3

Eight countries, namely Argentina, France, Iceland, Lesotho, Morocco, Nepal, Portugal and South Africa, have been moved down from Level 4 (Very High) to Level 3 (High) on the CDC’s Travel Recommendations list. 

While still categorized as high, the eight mentioned countries provide additions to the list of countries open for American travellers. 

Source: Wego