Anyone planning a trip to Bali in the coming months will be sadly disappointed to learn that the Indonesian island will not be open to tourists until the end of 2020.
Indonesian authorities originally planned for holidaymakers to be able to return to the tourist destination from next month. However, this has been pushed back due to a rise in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Bali is a popular destination for those looking to make the most of the winter sun, as the island often reaches highs of up to 27°C on the lead up to Christmas.
With winter sun in mind, we have listed a couple of alternative hotspots for those looking to get away later this year, that are warm in the winter and also part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) travel corridor. These are:
- Cyprus – however, tourists will need to provide a negative Covid-19 test on arrival to the country, obtained within 72 hours before travel
- Barbados – tourists will need to complete and submit an online immigration/ customs form 24 hours before departure. Anyone who arrives without a negative Covid-19 test result will be subjected to a mandatory test upon arrival and forced to quarantine until the result comes back – this can take up to 48 hours
Here are some other winter destinations that are not currently included in the travel corridor safe list, but could be added in time for Christmas:
- The Canary Islands
- Mexico
- Florida
- Morocco
- Thailand
Holidaymakers in search of some winter sun should look to book their holiday through an ABTA licenced travel provider for extra protection. Of course, tourists should also ensure they have appropriate travel insurance cover in place as soon as they book their trip.
There is a range of different policies available that include events relating to Covid-19, such as denied boarding due to suspected Covid-19 infection and cancellation cover should you catch the virus before you travel. However, the levels of cover will differ from insurer to insurer. Therefore, we would recommend that you get in touch with your travel insurance provider directly, if you have any questions or concerns regarding what cover your policy includes.
For more information about travelling and the coronavirus, check out our Ultimate Guide.
