Preventing COVID-19 Variant B1.1.529, Indonesia Rejects Foreigners From 8 Countries In Africa

Head of Public Relations and General Affairs of the Directorate General (Directorate General) of Immigration Kemenkumham Arya Pradhana Anggakara (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) has temporarily refused the arrival or visit of a number of foreign nationals (foreigners) especially from eight African countries to prevent the new variant of COVID-19.

"The eight countries are South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini and Nigeria within 14 days before entering Indonesian territory," said Head of Public Relations and General Affairs of the Directorate General of Immigration Arya Pradhana Anggakara in a written statement received in Jakarta. , Between, Sunday, November 28.

This means that if there are foreigners who have visited these countries within the past 14 days, they will immediately be refused entry to Indonesia at the immigration checkpoint.

The regulation was issued in response to the dynamics of the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19 B1.1.529 from outside the territory of Indonesia. Then it was followed up with the issuance of regulations restricting international travelers who would enter Indonesia.

In addition, the Directorate General of Immigration has also temporarily suspended the granting of visit visas and limited stay visas for citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini and Nigeria.

Angga, as he is familiarly called, said that the rules for restricting the entry of foreigners and the temporary suspension of visas for related countries came into effect on Monday, November 29, 2021.

Meanwhile, for foreigners other than those countries, currently the restriction rules are still in effect according to the Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Number 34 of 2021 concerning the Granting of Immigration Visas and Residence Permits in the Period of Handling the Spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 and National Economic Recovery.

"If the public needs further consultation, it is advisable to contact us via livechat at www.imigration.go.id on working days and hours," he said.