COVID-19 Policy Gap, Indonesian Citizens Are Prohibited From Going Home To Their Hometown But Foreigners Are Weclomed To Enter The Country

JAKARTA - 135 Indian citizens arrived in Indonesia, they arrived shortly after the surge in positive cases of COVID-19 occurred in their home country. Entering foreigners into Indonesia suddenly became the spotlight, especially since the government is imposing a ban on Eid homecoming in 2021.

Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sukamta asked the government to be firm and consistent in their efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia. He warned that there should not be loose rules so that the transmission rate of COVID-19 will be higher.

"With the government taking a policy of reducing the mobility of Indonesian citizens through banning Eid homecoming, this should also be accompanied by a policy of reducing foreigners entering Indonesia", said Sukamta to reporters, Friday, April 23.

According to the legislator for the Yogyakarta electoral district, if the government wants to reduce the movement of citizens so that COVID-19 will subside, the restrictions on foreigners entering Indonesia should also be imposed.

"Temporary restrictions on foreigners should also be carried out and that is immediate", the PKS Party politician appealed.

Sukamta assessed that the entry of hundreds of Indian citizens to Indonesia would have a negative impact on the current policy to prohibit Eid homecoming. Because it will give the impression that the government is selective. Where the rules for foreigners are loose, while the rules for Indonesian citizens are being tightened.

"If this perception arises, it will be counterproductive. It could threaten the policy of prohibiting Eid homecoming", criticized Sukamta.

As is known, the Government through the COVID-19 Handling Task Force continues to tighten the mobility of Domestic Travel Actors (PPDN) related to the ban on Eid homecoming to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Eid Homecoming Prohibition Will Be Enacted on 6-17 May 2021

The tightening of mobility is contained in the Addendum to Circular Letter (SE) Number 13 of 2021 concerning the Elimination of the Idul Fitri Day of 1442 Hijri Homecoming and Efforts to Control the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the Holy Month of Ramadan 1442 Hijri.

The addendum regulates the tightening of Domestic Travel Actors (PPDN) during D-14 elimination of Eid homecoming (22 April-5 May 2021) and 7 + 7 of elimination of Eid homecoming (18 May-24 May 2021).

In addition, the COVID-19 Task Force addendum also regulates PPDN travel during the elimination of homecoming in air, sea, train, public land transportation, and private land transportation. Meanwhile, as stated by SE Task Force Number 13 of 2021, the ban on Eid homecoming will take effect on May 6-17, 2021.

The tightening of these regulations is considered contradictory to the influx of Indian citizens in droves. Moreover, India recorded the highest daily case record in the world with 314.835 cases on Thursday, April 22. The second wave of the pandemic has paralyzed the country's health system.

In the last 24 hours in Delhi alone, 306 people have died and made various open spaces available to be used as cremation sites, a tradition practiced by many Indian Hindus.

PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) or AP II finally stated that it would prepare a number of facilities to support increased supervision of Indonesian citizens and foreigners arriving from abroad, including India.

"PT Angkasa Pura II coordinates with the Port Health Office (KKP) of the Ministry of Health, Immigration, Customs, and Excise, as well as airlines to ensure that the arrival process of international passengers, including those from India, always follows established procedures", said Soekarno-Hatta Airport Executive General Manager Agus Haryadi in a company official statement, Friday, April 23.

Agus explained that collaboration was also carried out by all stakeholders in order to smooth the quarantine process from the airport to the quarantine location.

In the same official statement, Head of the COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force Colonel Pas MA Silaban (Air Force Army) revealed that Indonesian citizens and foreigners who can enter Indonesian territory are those who meet the requirements, including carrying a valid PCR test certificate, having a Permit Card. Limited Stay (KITAS) or Permanent Stay Permit Card (KITAP), and immediately quarantine.

"For international flight passengers arriving in Indonesia, supervision is carried out starting from the airport to the quarantine process, so hopefully there will be no worries. Stakeholders at Soekarno-Hatta Airport coordinate to ensure that procedures are carried out strictly", he said.

Head of Port Health Office (KKP) of Ministry of Health Class I Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Dr. Darmawali Handoko, added that Indonesian citizens or foreigners who come from India must bring the results of the RT PCR swab examination with negative results that are valid 3 x 24 hours upon departure from India.

"Then quarantine for 5 x 24 hours, and RT-PCR swab on arrival and at the end of quarantine or the 5th day", he said.

However, the Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, Bambang Soesatyo, criticized the government's attitude in facilitating the arrival of hundreds of Indian citizens to Indonesia amidst the policy of prohibiting Eid homecoming for the people in the country.

Moreover, India is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases which is certainly contradicting the government's efforts to control the spread of the pandemic in the country.

"I criticize and question the government's policy which prohibits Eid homecoming, but foreigners can still be facilitated to enter Indonesian territory. So that this has the potential to create a sense of injustice for Indonesians", said Bamsoet to reporters, Friday, April 23.

Bamsoet regretted that the Indonesian Government had even opened the door for Indian citizens when the second wave of COVID-19 became increasingly violent in the country. In fact, the number of deaths from the virus has reached 2.000 people per day.

The former chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR) also asked the government to strictly prohibit other foreign citizens from entering Indonesia. One of them is by tightening procedures and inspections at the airport or at the port.

"Except for foreigners on diplomatic trips", said Bamsoet.

In addition, the Golkar Party politician urged the immigration authorities to tighten and reinforce the prohibition on the arrival of foreigners to Indonesia. Except for foreigners who have a KITAS (limited stay permit card).

"But still with strict health checks and procedures, so with the strictness of the prohibition. There should be no Indian citizen without clear information to enter Indonesian territory", said Bamsoet.

Bamsoet also asked the Ministry of Law and Human Rights together with the Ministry of Health, to increase supervision and even deport Indian citizens who managed to enter Indonesia without clear information or who did not have KITAS. As well as continuing to monitor developments and ensure that Indian citizens who arrive in Indonesia and have KITAS must be free from the coronavirus.

"Given that based on Circular/SE Number 8 of 2021 concerning International Travel Health Protocols during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Indian citizens entering Indonesian territory cannot be prohibited if they meet the criteria for foreigners who are allowed, because they have KITAS", he said.