COVID-19 Task Force Issues New Circular on International Travel

The COVID-19 Handling Task Force has issued Circular Number 17 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel amid Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

The Circular is in force from the date it was signed by Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Suharyanto on April 5, 2022.

“This Circular is effective from April 5, 2022 until further notice,” Suharyanto says in the Circular.

As this Circular takes effect, Circular of COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 15 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel amid COVID-19 Pandemic and Circular of COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 14 of 2022 on Health Protocols of MotoGP 2022 Mandalika Bubble System amid COVID-19 Pandemic are revoked and declared null and void.

The provisions stipulated in the Circular are as follows:

1) International travelers enter the territory of Indonesia through the following entry points for international travelers:

a. Airports, namely Soekarno Hatta Airport, Banten; Juanda Airport, East Java; Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali; Hang Nadim Airport and Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport, Riau Islands; Sam Ratulangi Airport, North Sulawesi; Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Airport, West Nusa Tenggara; Kualanamu Airport, North Sumatra; Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, South Sulawesi; and Yogyakarta Airport, Yogyakarta Special Region.

b. Sea port, namely Tanjung Benoa Port, Bali; Batam Port, Tanjung Pinang Port, Bintan Port, and Tanjung Balai Karimun Port, Riau Islands; Nunukan Harbor, North Kalimantan; and Dumai Harbor, Riau.

c. Cross-Border Posts (PLBN), namely Aruk Cross-Border Posts, West Kalimantan; Entikong Cross-Border Posts, West Kalimantan; and Motaain Cross-Border Posts, East Nusa Tenggara.

2) International travelers are permitted to enter Indonesia while still following the strict health protocols set by the Government.

3) International travelers of foreign nationals (WNA) may enter the territory of Indonesia with the following criteria:

a. In accordance with the provisions on immigration regulated by the Ministry that administers government affairs in the fields of law and human rights;

b. In accordance with the agreement (bilateral) scheme, including the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA); and/or

c. Obtain special consideration/permission in writing from the ministry/institution.

4) The terms/requirements for entering the territory of Indonesia through entry points are as follows:

a. Comply with the provisions of the health protocols set by the Government;

b. International travelers are required to use PeduliLindungi app and download the app prior to departure;

c. Show a card or certificate (in a physical or digital form) stating that one has received the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination at least fourteen days before departure as a requirement to enter Indonesia with the following conditions:

i. international travelers of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who have not received vaccination will be vaccinated at the entry points for international travel after RT-PCR test on arrival with a negative result or at quarantine place after a second RT-PCR test with a negative result;

ii. international travelers of WNA who have not received vaccination will be vaccinated at the entry points for international travel after RT-PCR test on arrival with a negative result or at quarantine place after a second RT-PCR test with a negative result, with the following conditions:

1) aged 6 – 17 years;

2) holders of diplomatic residence permits and official residence permits; and/or

3) holders of limited stay permit (KITAS) and permanent residence permit (KITAP).

iii. international travelers of WNA who are already in Indonesia and will travel, be it domestic or international, are required to obtain vaccination through program or mutual cooperation scheme in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations;

iv. card or certificate (in a physical or digital form) stating that one has received the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination written in English, other than the language of the country/region of origin of arrival.

d. The obligation to show a card or certificate (in a physical or digital form) COVID-19 vaccination as referred to in letter c is exempted from:

i. international travelers of WNA who hold diplomatic visas and service visas related to official/state visits of foreign officials at a ministerial level and above and WNAs who enter Indonesia under the TCA scheme, according to the principle of reciprocity while still implementing strict health protocols;

ii. international travelers of WNA who have yet received vaccination and intend to travel domestically in order to continue their travel with international flights out of the territory of Indonesia, are allowed not to show their card/certificate of COVID-19 vaccination, provided that they do not leave the airport area during transit for international flights to be followed, with conditions:

1) has obtained permission by the local Port Health Office (KKP) to travel domestically in order to continue the journey with international flights out of the territory of Indonesia; and

2) show the schedule of flight tickets outside Indonesia for direct transit from the departure city to an international airport in the territory of Indonesia with the final destination to the destination country.

iii. international travelers under the age of 18; and

iv. international travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that prevent travelers from receiving vaccination, with the requirement that they must attach a doctor’s reference from the government hospital of the country of departure stating that the person concerned has not and/or is unable to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

e. Show a negative result through RT-PCR test in the country/region of origin whose samples are taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before departure and are attached at the time of the health examination;

f. In the event that international travelers carry out a centralized quarantine at their own expense, they are required to show a proof of payment confirmation for booking a quarantine accommodation from the accommodation provider while staying in Indonesia;

g. In the event that international travelers who have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 a maximum of 30 days prior to departure and have been declared inactive in transmitting COVID-19, exempted from the obligation to show card/certificate of COVID-19 vaccination and a negative RT-PCR result prior to departure on condition that they are required to repeat RT-PCR test upon arrival and attach a doctor’s reference or COVID-19 recovery certificate from the government hospital of the country of departure or the Ministry that administers government affairs in the health sector in the country of departure stating that the person concerned is no longer actively transmitting COVID-19;

h. International travelers of WNA must attach proof of ownership of health insurance which includes financing for COVID-19 treatment and medical evacuation to a referral hospital with a minimum coverage value as determined by the operator, administrator, or local government;

i. Upon arrival, international travelers are required to undergo a symptom check related to COVID-19 including checking body temperature and proceed with the following conditions:

i. in the event that international travelers are detected to have symptoms related to COVID-19 and/or have a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, they are required to undergo RT-PCR re-test, the cost of which is borne by the Government for WNIs and is borne at their own expense for WNAs; or

ii. in the event that international travelers are detected to have no symptoms related to COVID-19 and have a body temperature below 37.5 degrees Celsius, they may continue their travel with the following conditions:

1) international travelers who have not been able to get vaccinated or have received the first vaccination dose at least 14 days before departure are required to quarantine for 5 x 24 hours;

2) international travelers who have received the second or third vaccination dose at least 14 days before departure are allowed to continue their travel;

3) international travelers under 18 years of age and/or in need of special protection, the quarantine arrangements shall follow the provisions imposed to their parents or caregivers/travel companions; or

4) international travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that cause travelers to have not and/or cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccination are allowed to continue their travel by attaching a doctor’s reference from the government hospital of the country of departure stating that the person concerned has not and/or cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

j. After RT-PCR samples are taken upon arrival as referred to in letter i.i., international travelers continue with:

i. inspection of immigration documents and customs documents;

ii. baggage collection and baggage disinfection;

iii. pick-up and drop-off directly to the hotel, lodging accommodation, or place of residence;

iv. wait for the result of RT-PCR test in hotel rooms, rooms at lodging accommodations, or places of residence; and

v. are not allowed to leave hotel rooms, rooms at lodging accommodations, or residences and are not allowed to interact with other people before the result of RT-PCR test shows negative.

k. In the event that RT-PCR re-test upon arrival as referred to in letter i.i. show a negative result, then the following conditions apply:

i. international travelers who have not been able to get vaccinated or have received the first vaccination dose at least 14 days before departure are required to quarantine for 5 x 24 hours;

ii. international travelers who have received the second or third vaccination dose at least 14 days before departure are allowed to continue their travel;

iii. international travelers under 18 years of age and/or in need of special protection, the quarantine arrangements shall follow the provisions imposed to their parents or caregivers/travel companions; or

iv. international travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that cause travelers to have not and/or cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccination are allowed to continue their travel by attaching a doctor’s reference from the government hospital of the country of departure stating that the person concerned has not and/or cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

l. In the event that international travelers have obtained a negative result on RT-PCR re-test upon arrival and are allowed to continue the travel as referred to in letter k.ii. and letter k.iv., it is recommended that they carry out independent health monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days and implementing health protocols;

m. In the event that RT-PCR re-test upon arrival as referred to in letter i.i. show a positive result, then the following conditions apply:

i. if there are no symptoms or experiencing mild symptoms, isolation/treatment is carried out in isolation hotels or centralized isolation facilities set by the Government or self-isolation at residence for a period of isolation/treatment in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry that administers government affairs in the health sector; or

ii. if there are moderate or severe symptoms, and/or with uncontrolled comorbidities, isolation or treatment is carried out at a COVID-19 referral hospital for a period of isolation/treatment according to recommendations from doctors and recommendations from the Ministry that administers government affairs in the health sector; and

iii. all costs of COVID-19 treatment and medical evacuation for WNAs are borne at their own expense, while for WNIs are borne by the Government.

n. Quarantine requirements as referred to in letter i.ii.1) and letter k.i. are carried out with the following conditions:

i. International travelers of WNIs, including Indonesian migrant workers (PMI); students/college students who have completed their studies abroad; government employees returning from overseas official trips; or Indonesian representatives in international competitions or festivals shall 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 International Travelers of WNI;

ii. International travelers of WNIs outside the criteria as referred to in number i undergo quarantine in a centralized quarantine accommodation, the costs of which are borne at their own expense; and

iii. International travelers of WNAs other than the head of the foreign representative and the family of the head of the foreign representative undergo quarantine in a centralized quarantine accommodation, the costs of which are borne at their own expense.

o. international travelers who have not been able to get vaccinated or have received the first vaccination dose and undergo quarantine for 5 x 24 hours, are required to carry out a second RT-PCR test on the 4th day of quarantine;

p. In the event that the second RT-PCR test as referred to in letter o shows a negative result, international travelers of WNIs/WNAs are allowed to continue the travel and are recommended to carry out independent health monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days and implementing health protocols;

q. In the event that the second RT-PCR test as referred to in letter o shows a positive result, then the following conditions apply:

i. if there are no symptoms or experiencing mild symptoms, isolation/treatment is carried out in isolation hotels or centralized isolation facilities set by the Government or self-isolation at residence for a period of isolation/treatment in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry that administers government affairs in the health sector; or

ii. if there are moderate or severe symptoms, and/or with uncontrolled comorbidities, isolation or treatment is carried out at a COVID-19 referral hospital for a period of isolation/treatment according to recommendations from doctors and recommendations from the Ministry that administers government affairs in the health sector; and

iii. all costs of COVID-19 treatment and medical evacuation for WNAs are borne at their own expense, while for WNIs are borne by the Government.

r. In the event that international travelers of WNAs cannot afford to finance the quarantine and/or treatment at the hospital as referred to in letter m, letter n.iii., and letter q, the sponsor, ministry/institution/state-owned enterprises that provides consideration for entry permit for the foreigner shall be held accountable;

s. RT-PCR test as referred to in letter i.i. and letter o may be asked for a written comparison by filling out the form provided by the KKP or the Ministry that administers health affairs with the costs of the test being borne by international travelers;

t. the comparison of RT-PCR test as referred to in letter s is carried out simultaneously by the KKP in two laboratories designated for comparison examination of S-Gene Target Failure (SGTF) and comparative examination of RT-PCR results, 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);

u. the KKP in International Airports and Seaports must provide facilities for international travelers who need emergency medical services upon arrival in Indonesia in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations;

v. Ministries/Agencies/regional governments that administer functions related to international travelers must follow up on the Circular by issuing a legal instrument in accordance with and not against the provisions of laws and regulations; and

w. the legal instrument as referred to in letter v constitutes an integral part of the Circular.

5) Quarantine facilities as referred to in number 4.n.ii. dan number 4.n.iii. must obtain a recommendation from COVID-19 Handling Task Force, comply with terms and conditions set by the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability (CHSE), obtain COVID-19 health protocol certificate issued by the Ministry that administers health affairs for facilities located in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, or COVID-19 health protocol certificate issued by provincial office that administers health affairs in the regions.

6) Dispensation in the form of exemption from mandatory quarantine or health monitoring may be granted to international travelers of WNI who have not received the second vaccination dose with urgent circumstances (such as: having a life-threatening health condition, having a health condition that requires special treatment, or having a deceased nuclear family) by being obliged to follow the procedure for checking symptoms related to COVID-19 including checking body temperature as referred to in number 4.i..

7) Applications for dispensation in the form of exemption from mandatory quarantine or health monitoring for WNIs with urgent circumstances as referred to in number 6 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.

8) The strict health protocols as referred to in number 4 comprise the following conditions:

a. using a three-ply cloth mask or medical mask that covers the nose, mouth and chin;

b. changing masks regularly every four hours, and disposing of the used masks in the provided facilities;

c. washing hands regularly using water and soap or hand sanitizer, especially after touching objects touched by other people;

d. maintaining a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from other people and avoid crowds;

e. not speaking by telephone or in person throughout the trip using modes of land, rail, sea, river, lake, ferry, and air public transportation; and

f. not eating and drinking during the flight less than two hours, except for individuals who are obliged to take urgent medicine which if not done may endanger the safety and health of the concerned person.

9) Every operator of transportation modes at the entry point of overseas travel must use the PeduliLindungi app.

10) The monitoring for quarantine of cargo ships and crews must be carried out in accordance with the specific and technical arrangements stipulated by the Ministry of Health, with the monitoring conducted by the KKP for each entry point.

(COVID-19 TASK FORCE/UN) (GWH/MUR)