Indonesia to Temporarily Close Borders to Foreign Citizens Early Next Year

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, accompanied by Spokesperson of COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito, delivers a statement at the Presidential Office, Monday (28/12/)

Indonesia has announced it will temporarily close its borders to foreign citizens due to the emergence of a new variant of the corona virus, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi has said.

“The Limited Cabinet Meeting on 28 December 2020 decided to temporarily close, I repeat, to temporarily close our borders from 1 to 14 January 2021 for foreign citizens from all countries,” Retno said in a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (28/12).

The statement of Foreign Minister is as follows:

First, there has been some news about a new strain of the COVID-19 which, according to various scientific data, has a faster spread rate.

Second, in response to this, the Limited Cabinet Meeting on 28 December 2020 decided to temporarily close, I repeat, to temporarily close our borders from 1 to 14 January 2021 to foreign citizens from all countries.

Third, for foreign citizens arriving in Indonesia today (28 December 2020) until 31 December 2020, the rules will apply according to the provisions in the addendum to the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Circular Number 3 of 2020, namely:

1. showing a negative result of the RT-PCR (Rapid Test-Polymerase Chain Reaction) test in the country of origin, which is valid for a maximum of 2 × 24 hours before departure time. The result must be shown during the health examination;
2. retaking the RT-PCR test upon arrival in Indonesia and if it shows a negative result, the foreigner shall carry out mandatory quarantine for five days from the date of arrival;
3. retaking the RT-PCR test after five days of quarantine and if the result is negative, the foreigner is allowed to continue the trip.

Fourth, according to Article 14 of Law Number 6 of 2011, Indonesian citizens are still allowed to return home in accordance with the provisions of the addendum to the same Circular Letter, namely:

1. showing a negative result of the RT-PCR test in the country of origin, which is valid for a maximum of 2 × 24 hours before departure time. The result must be shown during the health examination;
2. retaking the RT-PCR test upon arrival in Indonesia and if it shows a negative result, the citizen shall carry out mandatory quarantine for five days from the date of arrival at the quarantine accommodation provided by the Government;
3. retaking the RT-PCR test after five days of quarantine and if the result is negative, the citizen is allowed to continue the trip.

Fifth, the official visits at ministerial level and higher lever are exempted from the temporary border closure policy by taking into account strict health protocols.

Sixth, the policy will be stipulated in a new COVID-19 Task Force Circular. (FID/UN) (RI/EP)