COVID-19 Task Force Issues Circular on International Travel Health Protocols

Chairman of COVID-19 Task Force Suharyanto during Press Statement on the Government’s Response in Preventing Omicron Variant, on Sunday (28/11/2021)

COVID-19 Task Force has issued the latest circular concerning international travel health protocols during COVID-19 pandemic. The circular is issued in order to prevent the spread of new variant called SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 or Omicron in Indonesia and is effective starting 29 November at 00.01 a.m.

“The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) as the COVID-19 Task Force will issue a circular that should be effective starting from tomorrow at 00.01 a.m. on 29 November 2021,” said Head of the BNPB Suharyanto in a press statement, Sunday (28/11).

The circular is issued by taking into account the fact that currently a new variant called Omicron has been found in South Africa and is spreading to some countries. The Omicron variant has caused the increasing number of cases, especially in southern Africa continent. The World Health Organization later designated that the new variant found in early November 2021 as Variant of Concern.

In the circular, the Task Force regulates the prohibition of entry into Indonesia for foreign citizens who have travelled within the last 14 days to 11 countries that have confirmed community transmission of Omicron variant, and countries/regions which are geographically close to the countries with community transmission of the new variant.

“For foreign citizens who have visited or come from the 11 countries, namely South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, and Hong Kong, or who have stayed and visited those countries within 14 days are prohibited from entering Indonesia,” the Chairman of COVID-19 Task Force stated.

Indonesian citizens who have travelled to the 11 countries, Suharyanto continued, are allowed to enter Indonesia by implementing the prevailing health protocols.

“Indonesian citizens coming from the 11 countries that I have mentioned, are allowed to enter Indonesia, but they must undergo a mandatory quarantine for 14 x 24 hours, or 14 days, and certainly they have to undergo PCR tests. For Indonesian citizens and foreign citizens who travelled from countries other than the 11 countries must undergo a mandatory quarantine for 7 x 24 hours,” he added.

Furthermore, Suharyanto explained that special mechanism is applied to international travelers who are allowed to enter Indonesia. They are foreign citizens from three countries that are included in Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA), namely South Korea, China, and United Arab Emirates.

“For those who hold diplomatic visa, officials with the same level as ministers and above, as well as G20 members that are not from the 11 countries do not need to undergo quarantine, but they are monitored and must take part in travel bubble system,” he said. (SLN/UN) (AW/MMB)