Six-year pandemic: Abroad locations to stay off-limits

Bali is one of those travel destinations that could be closed for years in the coming years due to “worrying predictions” that developing countries will become restricted areas due to the slow adoption of COVID-19 vaccines.

Vacation Aussies, long separated families, and prospective international tourists may not be able to travel between Australia and 70 developing countries for up to six years. Developing countries could struggle to achieve herd immunity before 2027, according to revelations.

The world’s fourth largest country, Indonesia, has only received enough vaccines to protect 150 million of its 270 million people, with the bulk of the doses being the less effective Chinese push.

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Public data also shows that India, as well as many Pacific and African countries, are struggling to get more than 5 percent of the doses they need.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison hinted this month that Australia could help its Pacific neighbors after the federal government ordered additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Four Seasons Resort Bali in Jimbaran Bay. Image: Four seasons

The news would be a blow to Bali and the vacationers. The Bali Hotels Association reported that more than 1 million Aussies visited the tourism hotspot in 2018.

Daniel Gschwind, chairman of the board of directors of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, said a slow roll-out of the vaccine was a nightmare for the state’s beleaguered tourism sector.

“It’s a worrying prognosis for our industry, which is based on freedom of movement at home and abroad,” said Gschwind.

“That would have a profound effect on us.”

Originally published as Six-year pandemic: overseas destinations remain banned