State Rebuttal Reportedly Banning Entry To Indonesian Citizens Due To COVID-19

Illustrated photo (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - As many as 59 countries in the world prohibit Indonesian citizens (WNI) from entering. Turkey is rumored to be one of them. However, the Turkish government denied the news.

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to Indonesia has denied this. "We are surprised that Turkey is named in the list of countries that prohibit Indonesian citizens from entering its territory," read a written statement quoted on Thursday, September 10.

"The news is inaccurate and currently there is no policy prohibiting Indonesian citizens from entering Turkey."

Reportedly, a number of national and regional media had broadcast news stating that more than 50 countries prohibited Indonesian citizens from entering their territory. This was done because of the high number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia.

In contrast to Turkey, Malaysia has just confirmed the decision they made. The Malaysian government since September 7 has confirmed the entry ban for long-term visa holders from Indonesia, India and the Philippines.

The Indonesian government responded. According to the government, the state is now also imposing entry restrictions for foreigners. The policy will be in effect since April 2, until an undetermined time limit.

The official website of the Directorate General of Immigration states that foreigners are prohibited from entering or transiting Indonesian territory, as regulated in the Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Number 11 of 2020 concerning the Temporary Prohibition of Foreigners from Entering the Territory of the Republic of Indonesia.

However, there are several groups of foreigners who are exempted, including children with dual nationalities who are registered as Indonesian citizens; holders of valid limited stay permits (KITAS) and permanent residency permits (KITAP); holder of a diplomatic or service visa; medical aid workers, humanitarian aid workers, and transport equipment workers, as well as foreign nationals working on national strategic projects.

Even though it is an exception, foreigners who enter Indonesia are required to follow several provisions, including showing a health certificate in English from the authorities of each country and a statement letter willing to quarantine for 14 days.