Busy Week Of Visits Abroad, Jokowi Returns To Indonesia Immediately Quarantine At Bogor Palace

President Joko Widodo arrives in Indonesia, (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, at 08.30 WIB today. Jokowi returned to the country after making a working visit abroad for a week from October 29, 2021.

Unlike usual, Jokowi got off the plane without being greeted by any of the officials who picked him up. Apparently, this was at Jokowi's own request.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono said that Jokowi would immediately carry out quarantine according to the applicable rules, that every Indonesian citizen (WNI) who had just returned from a foreign trip was required to undergo quarantine.

"Mr. President asked us not to need a pick-up, because upon arrival in the country, Mr. President will immediately carry out self-quarantine at the Bogor Presidential Palace with attached devices," Heru said in a written statement, Friday, November 5.

During quarantine, Jokowi will live separately from his family. The President's family will be at Wisma Bayurini.

Meanwhile, the head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Ganip Warsito, said that his party allowed Jokowi to self-quarantine and not undergo quarantine in a centralized location.

"We, the Task Force for Handling COVID, give discretion to officials at the ministerial level and above to carry out self-quarantine," said Ganip.

Ganip explained that even though Jokowi is self-quarantining, he is still required to have a PCR test upon arrival at the quarantine area, must wear a mask and avoid face-to-face activities, and carry out a PCR test on the third day.

"We know that the President has received a complete dose of vaccine, so the quarantine is carried out for 3 × 24 hours. After undergoing quarantine for three days and getting negative results in both PCR tests, the President can return to his activities," said Ganip.