Transportation Ministry Issues Circular on Entry Requirements for International Travelers

Ministry of Transportation has issued Circulars on guidelines for international travelers through land transport (Circular Number 75 of 2021), sea transport (Circular Number 76 of 2021), and air transport (Circular Number 74 of 2021).

The Circular is a follow-up to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo directives to curb new strain of COVID-19, including strain of Mu (B.1.621) through international transportation.

“In general, the provisions for international travel on land, sea and air transport are the same as those of previous regulations. The requirements are based on Circular of [COVID-19] Task Force Number 18 of 2021 and the category of foreigners who can enter Indonesia is based on Regulation of Ministry Law and Human Rights Number 27 of 2021,” Spokesperson of Ministry of Transportation Adita Irawati said on Wednesday (15/09).

Adita said that the new provisions in the Circular, based on Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs Number 42 of 2021, stipulate restrictions on the entry points for international travelers, including at the national border post (PLBN), ports, and airports.

The entry points in airports are Soekarno Hatta Airport in Tangerang and Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, the entry points in ports are Batam Port in Riau Islands province and Nunukan Port in North Kalimantan province, while the entry point in the borders are terminals of Entikong and Aruk in West Kalimantan province.

She went on to say that every traveler must carry out PCR test three days prior to departure as well as upon arrival at the entry points.

Ministry of Transportation, she added, will work hand in hand with other stakeholders at the central and regional levels to monitor the implementation of the provisions.

Adita further said that the Circular applies to Indonesian migrant workers, Indonesian citizens, foreign citizens, passenger and cargo ship crews, and flight personnel who will enter Indonesia. The requirements for the international travelers are as follows:

1. Every international traveler is required to use the PeduliLindungi application to enter the territory of Indonesia.
2. Every transport operator at the entry points for international travelers is required to use the PeduliLindungi application.
3. International travelers, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners, must show negative results of PCR test from the country of departure taken within a maximum period of 3 days prior to departure and complete the form of Indonesian International e-HAC through PeduliLindungi application or manually on the country of departure.
4. Foreign travelers are required to show health insurance/travel insurance which covers COVID-19 quarantine and treatment in Indonesia.
5. Upon arrival, RT PCR retests must be carried out for Indonesian and foreign travelers. The travelers must also undergo quarantine for 8 days. For Indonesian citizens, including migrant workers, students, or government employees returning from overseas official trips, the quarantine/treatment expenses are borne by the Government. Indonesian citizens not included in the aforementioned criteria as well as foreigners (including foreign diplomats other than head of foreign diplomatic mission and family of head of foreign diplomatic mission) must pay for their quarantine/treatment expenses.
6. Indonesian and foreign travelers must carry out RT-PCR re-test on the 7^th(seventh) day of the quarantine. In the event that the results of the RT-PCR re-test show negative results, Indonesian and foreign travelers are allowed to continue their trip after the 8^thday of the quarantine. The travelers are advised to carry out self-quarantine for 14 days and observe health protocols.

If the results are positive, the treatment is carried out at the hospital. The treatment expenses for Indonesian travelers are borne by the Government, while the treatment expenses for foreign travelers are borne by the travelers.

7. In the event that the foreign passenger cannot afford to pay for the self-quarantine and/or treatment at the hospital, the sponsor, Ministry/Institution/State-Owned Enterprises that provides consideration for the entry permit of the foreign passenger may be held responsible for the expense.
8. Quarantine obligations are excluded for foreign passengers holding diplomatic visas and service visas for official/state visits of foreign officials at a ministerial level or higher and foreign passengers entering Indonesia through the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity while still observing strict health protocols.

“The Circular comes into force as of September 16, 2021 for land and sea transport, and as of September 17, 2021 for air transport. The Circular will be enforced until further notice and may be extended according to the needs and the latest development on the ground,” Adita remarked. (PR of Ministry of Transportation/UN) (RI/MUR)