Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport And Manado's Sam Ratulangi Tighten Protocols To Anticipate The Entry Of COVID-19 Omicron Variant

JAKARTA - PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) is increasing coordination with airport stakeholders and tightening the implementation of health protocols for international flight passengers arriving through Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and Manado's Sam Ratulangi Airport to anticipate the entry of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 or Omicron which has been confirmed in 23 Countries.

"Angkasa Pura I will tighten and monitor the airport. Coordination is also carried out with Immigration, the regional-level Covid-19 Task Force and the Port Health Office (KKP) as the forefront of checking international arrivals at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali and Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado," said Angkasa Pura I President Director Faik Fahmi in his statement. quoted from Antara, Tuesday 7 December.

According to him, the tightening measures for international travelers refer to regulations issued by the government, namely the Addendum SE of the COVID-19 Task Force No. 23 of 2021 and circular (SE) of the Ministry of Transportation 102 of 2021.

In this regulation, the Government of Indonesia has decided to temporarily close the entry of foreigners, either directly or in transit in foreign countries, who have lived and/or visited within 14 days from countries/regions that have confirmed the transmission of the Omicron variant.

These countries include South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong, as well as countries that are geographically close to the Omicron community transmission countries, namely Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Lesotho.

Meanwhile, during the quarantine period for international travelers, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners, upon arrival, RT-PCR retests are carried out and are required to undergo quarantine for 10 x 24 hours.

For Indonesian citizens and foreigners, a second RT-PCR is carried out on the 9th day of quarantine for those who are quarantined with a duration of 10 x 24 hours.

Meanwhile, for Indonesian citizens arriving from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Lesotho, RT-PCR is performed upon arrival, then quarantined for 14 x 24 hours. On day 13, a second RT-PCR was performed.

"Angkasa Pura I is committed to continuing to implement health protocols strictly in accordance with applicable regulations. We hope that our tightening efforts can support the government's efforts to overcome, prevent and detect the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19," he said.