The Latest Provisions of International Travel Issued by COVID-19 Handling Task Force

The COVID-19 Handling Task Force issued Circular Letter Number 25 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel during the Pandemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This letter took effect since it was signed by the Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Suharyanto on 1 September 2022.

The purpose of this letter is to implement a health protocol for international travellers (PPLN) during the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent an increase in COVID-19 transmission.

The circular letter set forth provisions regarding general health protocols; entry point; criteria for Indonesian Citizens (WNI)/Foreign Citizens (WNA) PPLN who can enter Indonesian territory; document requirements for PPLN’s departure from Indonesia; document requirements for PPLN’s arrival to Indonesia; COVID-19 protocol at entry point; positive case follow-up and isolation/treatment mechanisms; vaccination for PPLN; financing; other terms; and monitoring, controlling, and evaluating.

The following provisions are contained in the letter:

A. General Health Protocol

General health protocol terms for PPLN include:

1. Use a three-layer mask or a medical mask that covers nose, mouth and chin;
2. Replace the mask periodically every four hours, and dispose of the used mask in the place provided;
3. Wash hands regularly using water and soap or hand sanitizer, especially after touching objects touched by other people;
4. Maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from other people and avoid crowds; and
5. It is advised not to speak one-way or two-way by phone or in person throughout the journey using public transportation modes of land, rail, sea, river, lake, ferry, and air.

B. Entry Point

PPLN enters the territory of Indonesia through the entry points for international travel as follows:

a. Airports, namely Soekarno Hatta, Banten; Juanda, East Java; Ngurah Rai, Bali; Hang Nadim, Riau Islands; Sam Ratulangi, North Sulawesi; Zainuddin Abdul Madjid, West Nusa Tenggara; Kualanamu, North Sumatra; Sultan Hasanuddin, South Sulawesi; Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta; Sultan Iskandar Muda, Aceh; Minangkabau, West Sumatra; Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan, East Kalimantan; Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Riau; Kertajati, West Java; and Sentani, Papua.

b. Seaports. All international seaports in Indonesia are opened as entry points for international travel through the consideration of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Ministry of Transportation.

c. Cross-border Posts (PLBN), namely Aruk PLBN, Entikong PLBN, Nanga Badau PLBN in West Kalimantan; Motaain PLBN, Motamasin PLBN, and Wini PLBN in East Nusa Tenggara, as well as Skouw PLBN and Sota PLBN, in Papua.

 C. Criteria for WNI/WNA PPLN to Enter Indonesian Territory

1. All WNI PPLN are allowed to enter Indonesia while still following the strict health protocols that have been set.
2. WNA PPLN can enter the territory of Indonesia with the following criteria:

a. in accordance with the immigration terms regulated by the ministry that administers government affairs of law and human rights;

b. according to the agreement scheme (bilateral), such as the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA); and/or

c. obtains special consideration/permission in writing from the ministry/institution (K/L).

D. Document Requirements for PPLN’s Departure from Indonesia

1. WNI PPLN aged 18 years and over who will travel abroad from Indonesia are required to show a card/certificate (physical or digital) of receiving the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine (booster) which is shown through the PeduliLindungi application.
2. Terms for the obligation to show the card/certificate as referred to in number 1 are excluded for WNI PPLN with the following conditions:

a. WNI PPLN with special health conditions or comorbid that cause the traveller to be unable to receive vaccines are required to attach a doctor’s certificate from a government hospital stating that the person concerned has not and/or cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine; or

b. WNI PPLN who have finished carrying out COVID-19 isolation/treatment and have been declared inactive in transmitting COVID-19 but have not been able to get a third dose of vaccination (booster) must show a doctor’s certificate from a government hospital or the Ministry of Health stating that the person concerned is no longer actively transmitting COVID-19 or COVID-19 recovery certificate.

E. Document Requirements for PPLN’s Arrival to Indonesia

1. PPLN are required to use the PeduliLindungi application by downloading the application before departure.
2. Show the card/certificate (physical or digital) of receiving the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least fourteen days before departure, written in English, in addition to the language of the country of origin.
3. The obligation to show a COVID-19 vaccination card/certificate as referred to in number 2 is excluded for:

a. PPLN under 18 years old;

b. PPLN with special health conditions or comorbid that cause the traveller unable to receive the vaccine must attach a doctor’s certificate from the government hospital of the country of departure stating that the person concerned has not and/or cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine;

c. PPLN who have finished carrying out COVID-19 isolation/treatment and have been declared inactive in transmitting COVID-19 but have not been able to get a second dose of vaccination must attach a doctor’s certificate from the government hospital of the country of departure or the ministry that carries out government affairs in the health sector in the country of departure which states that the person concerned is no longer actively transmitting COVID-19 or the COVID-19 recovery certificate;

d. WNA PPLN who hold diplomatic visas and service visas related to official/state visits of foreign officials at ministerial level and above and WNA who enter Indonesia under the TCA scheme, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity while still implementing strict health protocols; and

e. WNA PPLN who have not received the vaccine and intend to travel domestically in order to continue their journey with international flights out of Indonesian territory, are allowed not to show their COVID-19 vaccination card/certificate as long as they do not leave the airport area during transit waiting for the international flight to be followed, with requirements:

1) has been permitted 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) shows the schedule of flight tickets outside Indonesia for direct transit from the departure city to the international airport in the territory of Indonesia with the final destination to the destination country.

F. COVID-19 Protocol at Entry Point

1. PPLN are required to undergo inspection of documents for arrival of international travel to Indonesia.
2. After checking the documents, PPLN is required to undergo a symptom check related to COVID-19 including checking body temperature.
3. PPLN detected as having symptoms related to COVID-19 and/or having a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, must undergo RT-PCR test.
4. PPLN detected have no symptoms related to COVID-19 and have a body temperature below 37.5 degrees Celsius, are allowed to continue the journey and are recommended to carry out independent health monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days by implementing strict health protocols.
5. PPLN conducting the RT-PCR test as referred to in number 3, is allowed to continue the journey after taking the RT-PCR test sample and must comply with the following terms:
6. waiting for the results of the RT-PCR test in hotel rooms, lodging, or residences; and
7. not allowed to leave hotel rooms, lodging, or residences and are not allowed to interact with other people before the results of the RT-PCR test show negative results.
8. If the RT-PCR test as referred to in number 3 shows a positive result, the PPLN shall be isolated/treated according to the positive case follow-up mechanism.
9. If the RT-PCR test as referred to in number 3 shows a negative result, the PPLN is allowed to continue the journey and is recommended to carry out independent health monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days by implementing strict health protocols.

G. Mechanism for Follow-up of Positive Cases and Isolation/Treatment

1. PPLN with positive RT-PCR test results without symptoms or experiencing mild symptoms are required to carry out isolation/treatment in isolation hotels or centralized isolation facilities established by the government or to self-isolate at residence with isolation/treatment times as recommended by the Ministry of Health.
2. PPLN with positive RT-PCR test results accompanied by moderate or severe symptoms and/or with uncontrolled comorbidities, will be isolated/treated at a COVID-19 referral hospital with isolation/treatment time according to recommendations from doctors and recommendations from the Ministry of Health.

H. Vaccination for PPLN

1. WNI PPLN who have not received the COVID-19 vaccination, either the first dose, the second dose, or the third dose are obligated to undergo vaccination at the entry point of international travel after a symptom check is carried out.
2. WNA PPLN who are already in Indonesia and will travel, both domestically and internationally, are obliged to undergo vaccination through a program or mutual cooperation scheme in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations.

I. Financing

1. The cost of checking the RT-PCR test at the entry point for WNA is covered independently while for WNI is covered by the government.
2. The cost of handling COVID-19 and medical evacuation for WNA is covered independently, while for WNI is covered by the government.
3. The cost of vaccination at the entry point for WNI PPLN is covered by the government.
4. If WNA PPLN cannot covered the RT-PCR test at the entry point and isolation/treatment when the results of the RT-PCR test show positive results, as referred to in number 1 and number 2, then the sponsor, K/L/State-owned enterprise who gives consideration for the entry permit for the WNA can be held responsible for the said person.

J. Other Terms

1. Regarding the results of the RT-PCR test at the entry point, a written comparison may be requested by filling out the form provided by the KKP or the Ministry of Health at the expense of the inspection being covered by the PPLN.
2. The implementation of the RT-PCR comparison test as referred to in number 1 is carried out simultaneously by the KKP in two laboratories for the purpose of the S-Gene Target Failure (SGTF) comparison examination and the comparative examination of the RT-PCR results, at the Health Research and Development Agency (Balitbangkes), Cipto Mangunkusumo Central General Hospital (RSCM), Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD), Bhayangkara Raden Said Sukanto Hospital (Police Hospital) or other government laboratories (Environmental Health Engineering Center, Regional Health Laboratory, or other government reference laboratories).
3. The KKP of airports and international seaports facilitates PPLN who need emergency medical services upon arrival in Indonesia in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.
4. Every operator of transportation mode at the entry point of international travel is required to use the PeduliLindungi application.
5. K/L/regional apparatus that carry out functions related to PPLN follow up on this circular letter by issuing legal instruments that are in line with and do not conflict with the provisions of laws and regulations.
6. The legal instruments as referred to in number 5 are an integral part of this circular letter.

K. Monitoring, Control, and Evaluation

1. The Regional COVID-19 Handling Task Force, which is assisted by the public transportation organizing authority, will jointly control people’s travel and public transportation safe from COVID-19 by establishing an Integrated Security Post.
2. K/L, Indonesian National Defense Forces, Indonesian National Police, and regional governments have the right to stop and/or prohibit people from travelling on the basis of this circular letter and the provisions of laws and regulations.
3. K/L, Indonesian National Defense Forces, Indonesian National Police assisted by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force for Airports and Seaports, c.q. The KKP of International Airports and Seaports, conduct routine supervision to ensure compliance with the implementation of health protocols through telephone facilities, video calls and field checks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Authorized agencies (Ministries/institutions, TNI, POLRI, and regional governments) must ensure compliance with COVID-19 health protocols and law enforcement in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.

“With this Circular coming into force, Circular Number 22 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel amid the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and Addendum to Circular Number 22 of 2022 on Health Protocols for International Travel amid the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic are revoked and declared null and void.InternationalInternational,” concluded Suharyanto. (COVID-19 Handling Task Force/JW/UN) (YC/AW/LW)