Indonesia Implements Layered Prevention Strategies to Anticipate Omicron Variant
As the new COVID-19 variant Omicron is proven to be more quickly transmitted, Indonesia has taken prevention measures, including by enforcing quarantine and international travel restriction policies.
COVID-19 Handling Task Force Spokesperson Prof. Wiku Adisasmito stated that in order to anticipate Omicron, Indonesia remains vigilant and continues to curb the number of cases that is currently under control. In fact, the Government has implemented layered prevention strategies, especially with Christmas and New Year drawing nearer, he added.
“Although cases in Indonesia are considered under control and no Omicron case has been reported, Indonesia remains vigilant and also anticipates Omicron variant by implementing international travel policy,” Wiku said in a press statement on COVID-19 handling development streamed on Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, Tuesday (12/14).
According to Wiku, Indonesia’s layered prevention strategies are carried out by implementing international travel policy. This policy, he stated, was formulated by involving experts and related ministries/institutions and prioritizing the security of all people.
Wiku further said that entry and exit testing policy, COVID-19 testing upon arrival and after quarantine, is implemented for quarantines.
For the record, the policy temporarily restricts international travellers who come from countries or regions with community-transmitted Omicron cases. The policy also denies entry to those who come from or who have been to countries or regions with local Omicron cases.
However, Indonesian citizens are still allowed to enter the country in several conditions, namely by taking PCR test maximum 3×24 hours prior to departure, taking entry test or another PCR test on the first day of arrival, taking exit test or a third PCR test on the 13th day of quarantine, and completing a 14-day quarantine.
Meanwhile, international travellers from other countries are required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 3×24 hours before departure, take PCR test upon arrival, undergo a 10-day quarantine, and take a PCR test on the second and ninth day of quarantine.
Moving forward, the Government, Wiku stressed, will periodically review the list of countries that have been imposed travel restrictions in accordance with the dynamic of cases at home and abroad.
“Quarantine policy is the key to preventing case imports. And it must be complied by everyone at every level of society with full discipline,” he remarked. (Communication Team of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee/AIT) (DH/MUR)
