Countries including South Africa and Australia have suggested they may not open their borders again until 2021. Although not confirmed, indications from different parts of their governments have strongly hinted that this may be the case.
While getting tourism back on its feet is vital, especially for countries where this is a major revenue source, the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 outbreak has made this difficult. According to the Washington Post, a focus on domestic tourism is one way many countries have aimed to help the sector without risking new infections from incoming travel.
While things may change, here are countries which have said or hinted at keeping borders closed for the rest of the year.
South Africa
This can’t be a surprise, as the back and forth on when our borders will be open has been an ongoing battle between the tourism sector and the government. While September had been floated as a reopening date for a while, it is clear that this isn’t going to happen as provincial borders have only just opened.
This will take a major toll as the summer months are when tourism earns the bulk of its revenue. Big game reserves which survive on international clients and tourist cities like Cape Town are likely to be worse off as a result.
Australia and New Zealand
Another pair who aren’t a surprise, Australia and New Zealand have indicated strongly the hardline they are taking on their borders. As two isolated countries, they have dealt pretty well with the pandemic. New Zealand was the first to declare itself COVID-19 free before having a resurgence in cases.
Although the idea of a travel bubble between the two has been considered, it appears this might not even be likely, with both promoting domestic tourism to their citizens instead.
Bali
A popular tourist destination that has felt the knock-on effects of having the industry shut down. Bali decided to withdraw its opening date of September 11, announcing that it will only open in 2021.
‘Bali [will] not be able to open up to foreign tourists as previously planned’ and will ‘extend the travel ban until at least the end of 2020,’ Indonesia’s tourism board announced in a press release.
This decision was clearly spurred by the success Bali has been having with domestic tourism. Locals are travelling to the island which is usually inundated with Australians and South Africans.
Selective reopening
While some countries are reopening their borders, they are being very selective about who will be allowed in. This is usually based on the country of origins case numbers and infection rate. European countries are still not allowing US travellers, along with a few other ‘unsafe’ countries.
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