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

COVID-19 Handling Task Force has issued Circular Number 22 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

“The Circular comes into force from July 8, 2022 until further notice,” the Circular reads.

The Circular, formulated following the decisions made in a limited Cabinet meeting on public activity restrictions (PPKM) on July 4, aims to enforce health protocols on international travelers (PPLN) to prevent a spike in COVID-19 transmission.

The health protocol provisions stipulated in the Circular are as follows:

1.  PPLN may enter the territory of Indonesia through the following entry points of international travel:
   1. Airports (16 entry points): Soekarno Hatta Airport in Banten province, Juanda Airport in East Java province, Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali province, Hang Nadim Airport in Riau Islands province, Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport in Riau Islands province, Sam Ratulangi Airport in North Sulawesi province, Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Airport in West Nusa Tenggara province, Kualanamu Airport in North Sumatra province, Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in South Sulawesi province, Yogyakarta Airport in Special Region of Yogyakarta province, Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport in Aceh province, Minangkabau Airport in West Sumatra province, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport in South Sumatra province, Adisumarmo Airport in Central Java province, Syamsuddin Noor Airport in South Kalimantan province, and Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport in East Kalimantan province.
   2. Seaports: All international seaports in Indonesia are open as entry points for international travel based on the consideration of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation of Ministry of Transportation.
   3. Cross-border Posts: Aruk border post, Entikong border post, and Nanga Badau border post in West Kalimantan province; Motaain border post, Motamasin border post, and Wini border post in East Nusa Tenggara province; and Skouw border post and Sota border post in Papua province.
2. Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Minangkabau Airport, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport, Adisumarmo Airport, Syamsuddin Noor Airport, and Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport are only intended as an entry point for PPLN involved in the hajj program and will be opened within the period of June 4, 2022 until August 15, 2022.
3. PPLN are allowed to enter Indonesia by following strict health protocols as stipulated by the Government.
4. Foreign citizens may enter the territory of Indonesia under the following conditions:
   1. complying with provisions on immigration regulated by Ministry of Law and Human Rights;
   2. complying with (bilateral) agreement scheme, such as the travel corridor arrangement (TCA); and/or
   3. being granted special consideration/permission by Ministries/Institutions in a written form.
5. The requirements for entering the territory of Indonesia through the entry points are as follows:
   1. PPLN must comply with health protocols stipulated by the Government;
   2. PPLN must use PeduliLindungi application and download the application prior to departure’
   3. PPLN must show (physical/digital) card/certificate for the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine received not less than fourteen days prior to departure as a requirement to enter Indonesia with the following conditions:
      1. Indonesian citizens who have not received the vaccine shall get vaccinated at entry points for international travel after a symptom examination on arrival or at quarantine facilities after an RT-PCR examination on the fourth day of quarantine with a negative result is carried out;
      2. foreign citizens who have not been vaccinated shall get vaccinated at entry points for international travel after a symptom examination on arrival or at quarantine facilities after an RT-PCR examination on the fourth day of quarantine with a negative result is carried out;
      3. foreign citizens who are already in Indonesia and intend to travel, both domestically and internationally, must get vaccinated through a program or mutual cooperation scheme in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations;
      4. PPLN must have (physical/digital) card/certificate of the COVID-19 second dose vaccination written in English in addition to the language of the country of origin.
   4. the obligation for showing COVID-19 (physical/digital) vaccination card/certificate as referred to in the letter c does not apply to:
      1. foreign citizens holding diplomatic visas and visas for duties related to official/state visits of foreign officials at the ministerial level and above and foreign citizens entering Indonesia with the TCA scheme, in accordance to the principle of reciprocity while still complying with strict health protocols;
      2. foreign citizens who have not been vaccinated and intend to travel domestically in order to continue travel with an international flight to leave the territory of Indonesia are allowed to not show COVID-19 vaccination card/certificate as long as they remain within the airport area during transit while waiting for their international flight under the following conditions:
         1. having a permit issued by the local Port Health Authority (KKP) to carry out domestic travel as a transit for flights to areas outside the territory of Indonesia; and
         2. showing a flight ticket to regions outside Indonesia for a direct transit from the city of departure to the international airport in the territory of Indonesia with the final point of arrival in another country.
      3. PPLN under 18 years old;
      4. PPLN who have finished quarantine or COVID-19 treatment and have been declared no longer actively transmitting COVID-19 yet are unable to receive the second dose vaccination under the condition that they show a medical certificate from a government hospital of the country of origin or Ministry of Health of the country of origin that states that the person concerned is no longer actively transmitting COVID-19 or COVID-19 recovery certificate; and
      5. PPLN with special health conditions or comorbidities that prevent them from getting vaccinated under the condition that they show a medical certificate from a government hospital of the country of origin that states that the person concerned has not and/or cannot receive COVID-19 vaccine.
   5. in the event that PPLN will carry out a centralized quarantine at their own expense, they must show proof of payment for the reservation of quarantine accommodation from the accommodation providers while staying in Indonesia;
   6. upon arrival, PPLN must undergo an examination for COVID-19 related symptoms, including body temperature check, and under the following conditions:
      1. in the event that PPLN are detected to have COVID-19 related symptoms and/or have a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, they must undergo an RT-PCR confirmation test with the cost being borne by the Government for Indonesian citizens and borne by the travelers for foreign citizens; or
      2. in the event that PPLN do not have COVID-19 related symptoms and/or have a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, they are allowed to continue their travel under the following conditions:
         1. PPLN who have not been able to get vaccinated or have received the first dose of vaccine not less than 14 days prior to departure must undergo quarantine for 5 x 24 hours;
         2. PPLN who have received the second or third dose of vaccine at least 14 days prior to departure are allowed to continue their travel;
         3. for PPLN under 18 years old and/or who need special protection, the duration of quarantine must follow the provisions imposed on their parents or caregivers/travel companions; or
         4. for PPLN with special health conditions or comorbidities that prevent them from getting COVID-19 vaccination and PPLN who have finished quarantine or COVID-19 treatment, have been declared no longer actively transmitting COVID-19, and have not been able to receive the second dose vaccination are allowed to continue their travel.
   7. after RT-PCR sampling on arrival as referred to in letter f.i., the PPLN must undergo the following procedures:
      1. checking of immigration documents and customs documents;
      2. taking their baggage and having their baggage disinfected;
      3. picking-up and dropping-off directly to the hotel, places of accommodation, or places of residence;
      4. waiting for the results of the RT-PCR test in hotel rooms, rooms at places of accommodations, or places of residence; and
      5. they are not allowed to leave the hotel rooms, places of accommodation, or places of residence and are not allowed to interact with other people before the results of the RT-PCR test show a negative result.
   8. in the event that the results of the RT-PCR re-test on arrival as referred to in letter f.i. show a negative result, the following conditions apply:
      1. the PPLN who have not been able to get vaccinated or have received the first dose of vaccine not less than 14 days before departure must undergo quarantine for 5 x 24 hours;
      2. the PPLN who have received the second or third dose of vaccine not less than 14 days before departure are allowed to continue their travel;
      3. for PPLN under 18 years of age and or requiring special protection, the duration of quarantine or health monitoring must follow the provisions imposed on their parents or caregivers/travel companions; or
      4. the PPLN with special health conditions or comorbidities that prevent them from getting COVID-19 vaccination are allowed to continue their travel.
   9. in the event that the PPLN have obtained a negative result on the RT-PCR confirmation test upon arrival and are allowed to continue their travel as referred to in letter h.ii. and letter h.iv, they are encouraged to carry out independent health monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms for fourteen days and comply with health protocols;
   10. in the event that the RT-PCR confirmation test upon arrival as referred to in letter f.i shows a positive result, the follow-up measures shall be carried out under the following conditions:
       1. in the event that the PPLN show no symptoms or shows mild symptoms, the isolation or treatment must be carried out in isolation facilities at hotels, at centralized isolation facilities determined by the Government, or through self-isolation at home with isolation/treatment time according to the recommendation from Ministry of Health; or
       2. in the event that the PPLN show moderate or severe symptoms, and/or with uncontrolled comorbidities, the isolation or treatment must be carried out at COVID-19 referral hospitals with isolation/treatment time according to the recommendation from medical doctors and recommendation from Ministry of Health; and
       3. all costs of COVID-19 treatment and medical evacuation for foreign citizens are borne by the PPLN, while the costs for Indonesian citizens are borne by the Government.
   11. requirements on quarantine as referred to in letter f.ii.1. and letter h.i must be carried out under the following conditions:
       1. Indonesian PPLN, namely Indonesian migrant workers; students who have completed their studies abroad; Government employees returning from official trips overseas; or Indonesian representatives in international competitions or festivals must undergo centralized quarantine at the expense of the Government in accordance with the Decree of Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force on Quarantine Facilities and Mandatory RT-PCR for Indonesian Citizens Traveling Overseas;
       2. Indonesian PPLN not included in the criteria as referred to in letter i must undergo quarantine at a centralized quarantine accommodation at their own expense; and
       3. foreign PPLN other than heads of foreign representatives and families of heads of foreign representatives must undergo quarantine at a centralized quarantine accommodation at their own expense.
   12. PPLN who have not been able to get vaccinated or have received the first dose vaccination and are quarantined for 5×24 hours must carry out an RT-PCR test on the fourth day of quarantine;
   13. in the event that the second RT-PCR test as referred to in letter l shows a negative result, Indonesian/foreign PPLN are allowed to continue their travel and are encouraged to carry out independent health monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days and comply with health protocols;
   14. in the event that the RT-PCR test as referred to in letter l shows a positive result, the follow-up measures shall be carried out under the following conditions:
       1. in the event that the PPLN show no symptoms or mild symptoms, the isolation or treatment must be carried out in isolation facilities at hotels, at centralized isolation facilities determined by the Government, or through self-isolation at home with isolation/treatment time according to the recommendation from Ministry of Health; or
       2. in the event that the PPLN show moderate or severe symptoms, and/or with uncontrolled comorbidities, the isolation or treatment must be carried out at COVID-19 referral hospitals with isolation/treatment time according to the recommendation from medical doctors and recommendation from Ministry of Health; and
       3. all costs of COVID-19 treatment and medical evacuation for isolation/treatment for foreign PPLN are borne by the PPLN, while the costs for Indonesian PPLN are borne by the Government.
   15. in the case that foreign PPLN cannot afford to pay for quarantine and/or treatment if the RT-PCR test show a positive result as referred to in letter j, letter k.iii, and letter n, the sponsors or Ministries/Institutions/State-Owned Enterprises that provide recommendation for the entry permit for the foreign PPLM must be held responsible;
   16. the RT-PCR test as referred to in letter f.i and letter l may be requested for a written comparison by filling out the form provided by the KKP or Ministry of Health at the expense of the PPLN;
   17. the RT-PCR comparison test as referred to in letter q is carried out simultaneously by the KKP in two laboratories for comparative examination of S-Gene Target Failure (SGTF) and comparative examination of RT-PCR test result, namely Health Research and Development Agency (Balitbangkes), Cipto Mangunkusumo Central General Hospital (RSCM), Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD), Bhayangkara Raden Said Sukanto Hospital (Polri Hospital) or other Government laboratories (Environmental Health Engineering Center, Regional Health Laboratory, or other government referral laboratories);
   18. KKP in International Airports and Seaports must provide facilities for PPLN who need emergency medical services upon arrival in Indonesia in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations;
   19. Ministries/Institutions/regional governments that administer functions related to PPLN must follow up on this Circular by issuing a legal instrument that is in line and does not conflict with the provisions of laws and regulations; and
   20. the legal instrument as referred to in letter s constitutes an integral part of this Circular.
6. Quarantine accommodation as referred to in number 5.k.ii. and number 5.k.iii. must obtain a recommendation from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, which meets the terms and conditions set by the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability (CHSE), or Ministry of Health for Jakarta area and its surrounding areas, or the provincial health office in the regions related to COVID-19 health protocol certification.
7. As a requirement for international flights to leave the territory of Indonesia, Indonesian PPLN age 18 and above must show (physical/digital) card/certificate of COVID-19 third dose (booster) vaccination through PeduliLindungi application.
8. The provision as referred to in number 7 does not apply to:
   1. Indonesian PPLN with special health conditions or comorbidities that prevent them from getting vaccinated provided they show a medical certificate from a government hospital that states that the person concerned has not and/or cannot receive COVID-19 vaccination; or
   2. Indonesian PPLN who have finished quarantine or COVID-19 treatment and have been declared no longer actively transmitting COVID-19 yet have not been able to receive COVID-19 third dose vaccine provided they show a medical certificate from a government hospital or Ministry of Health that states that the person concerned is no longer actively transmitting COVID-19 or COVID-19 recovery certificate.
9. Dispensation in the form of exemption from mandatory quarantine may be granted to Indonesian PPLN with urgent circumstances (such as life-threatening medical conditions, medical conditions that require special attention, or bereavement due to the loss of a nuclear family member) who have not received second dose vaccination provided that they follow an examination procedure for COVID-19 related symptoms as referred to in number 5.f.
10. Applications for dispensation in the form of exemption from mandatory quarantine for Indonesian citizens with urgent circumstances as referred to in number 9 must be submitted not less than three days prior to arrival in Indonesia to the National COVID-19 Handling Task Force and may be granted selectively, on an individual basis, and with a limited quota based on the agreement between COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and Ministry of Health.
11. The health protocols as referred to in number 5 must meet the following terms and conditions:
    1. using a three-ply cloth mask or medical mask that covers the nose, mouth, and chin while indoors or when in a crowd;
    2. changing masks regularly every four hours, and disposing of mask waste in the designated place;
    3. washing hands regularly using water and soap or hand sanitizer, especially after touching objects that have been touched by other people;
    4. maintaining a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from others and avoiding crowds; and
    5. not having one-way or two-way communication by telephone or in person throughout the trip using public transportation modes of land, rail, sea, river, lake, ferry, and air.
12. Every operator of transportation modes at the entry point of international travel must use PeduliLindungi application.
13. The monitoring for health quarantine of cargo ships and crews must be carried out in accordance with the specific and technical arrangements stipulated by Ministry of Health, with the monitoring conducted by the Port Health Authorities of each entry point for international travel.

With the issuance of this Circular, Circular Number 19 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel Amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and Addendum to Circular Number 19 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel Amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19_ Pandemic are revoked and declared null and void. (COVID-19 Handling Task Force/UN) (DH/LW)