Government Readjusts Policies Following Decrease in COVID-19 Cases
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung virtually attends Limited Cabinet Meeting on the PPKM Evaluation, on Monday (07/03/2022). (Photo: PR of Cabinet Secretariat /Agung)
The condition and handling of COVID-19 pandemic in the country are improving. It is shown by a significant decline in the trend of national daily cases, hospital occupancy, and death rate. Therefore, the Government sets a number of new policies related to requirements of domestic travelling, sports competitions, and also the trial of no-quarantine policy for international travelers (PPLN).
These updates were delivered by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in his press statement after attending the Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM) led by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo via video conference, Monday (03/07) afternoon.
Domestic travelers who are using air, sea, and land transportations and have received second dose shot do not need to show proof of negative antigen and PCR tests. It is stated in a circular letter that will be issued by the related ministry and institution immediately,” Luhut said.
Meanwhile, all sports competitions can be watched by spectators who have received booster shot and use PeduliLindungi application, and the capacity of the venue complies with the level of the pandemic situation in each area.
“The capacity is set as follows: Level 4: 25 percent, Level 3: 50 percent, Level 2: 75 percent, and Level 1: 100 percent,”
Furthermore, a decision also made in the Limited Cabinet Meeting concerning the trial of no-quarantine policy for PPLN which will be implemented in Bali starting from 7 March. The requirements that must be fulfilled are as follows:
- PPLN must show paid booking hotel at least for 4 days or must show proof of domicile in Bali for Indonesian citizens upon arrival;
- PPLN must have been fully vaccinated or booster vaccinated upon arrival.;
- PPLN must get PCR tested and wait in the hotel room until the test shows negative result;
- PPLN must get PCR tested in the third day at the respective hotel.
- PPLN has or must have health insurance that covers COVID-19 infection according to the conditions;
- International events held in Bali during the trial period should implement strict health protocols according to G20 standards;
- Visa on Arrival will be effective for 23 countries, namely ASEAN countries, Australia, USA, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Turkey, and UEA;
- Implementation of strict health protocols and the use of PeduliLindungi in many places; and
- Acceleration of booster vaccination in Bali reaches 30 percent in the next week.
“If the trial succeeds, then we will implement free-quarantine for all PPLN on 1 April 2022 or sooner than 1 April,” the Coordinating Minister added.
Concluding his press statement, Luhut emphasized that every policy of pandemic handling set by the Government is based on the advices given by related experts. The road map for transition from pandemic to endemic will also be carefully implemented, and go through stages and levels, and will ensure sustainability to mitigate unexpected issues.
“We need to emphasize that all policies in this transition process that we are going through together are not set in a hurry. We must be ready to shift to a transition process gradually by implementing policies that are based on the existing data. All efforts made today need full support from the people and the Government continues to provide good education, so that living together with COVID-19 is not only a slogan,” he said. (TGH/JW/UN) (AW/MMB)
