Gov’t Adjusts PPKM, International Travelers Quarantine Policies

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

The Government has announced it continues to make adjustment to the implementation of restrictions on public activities (PPKM) by maintaining balance between health and economic sectors.

“We continue to monitor the latest development at hospitals and [adjustment is made] by prioritizing health aspects,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in a press statement after attending the limited cabinet meeting on evaluation of the PPKM held virtually, Monday (02/14).

According to Luhut, the PPKM adjustment in the islands of Java and Bali are, among others, offices at Level 3 region permitted to apply a 50-percent (previously 25 percent) maximum work from office as well as the capacity of activities in art, cultural, and social in public facilities that are increased to 50 percent.

In the meantime, the Government, he added, will also reduce quarantine period for international travelers, be it for Indonesian citizens or foreign nationals who have received booster vaccine from the previous five days to three days.

International travelers, Luhut continued, are still required to perform PCR entry and exit tests. If the result of exit test on the third day in the morning is negative, international travelers can complete their quarantine period, but they are advised to continue to perform PCR test independently on the fifth day and report their health condition to the nearest local health centers.

“If the situation continues to improve and vaccination rate continues to increase, it is possible that on April 1 or even earlier, the Government will no longer implement a centralized quarantine for international travelers,” the Minister said.

Luhut also added that the Government has also made adjustment to international entry points in the Java-Bali region.

“The Government will open the flight for Umrah pilgrims in Juanda International Airport, Surabaya. In addition, the airport will also serve foreign nationals and Indonesian citizens non-migrant workers. Ngurah Rai International Airport (in Bali) will also open for foreign nationals and Indonesian citizens non-migrant workers with all purposes. The sea entry point in Bali is also open for Indonesian citizens who come by cruiser or yacht,” the Minister remarked. (DND/UN) (GWH/EP)