Sandiaga: No Quarantine Policy Extended Across Indonesia

Sandiaga Uno (Photo via Ministry)

JAKARTA - The government continues to make several policy relaxations so that the community's economy can resume running, one of which is the implementation of a quarantine-free policy which will be extended to all regions of Indonesia for foreign travel agents (PPLN).

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, said the no-quarantine policy was extended throughout Indonesia. This policy was decided because the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be increasingly under control thanks to the community's adherence to strict and disciplined implementation of health protocols.

"So today it has been announced that the no-quarantine policy will be extended throughout Indonesia, only with antigen test entries. So the Satgas circular letter will be issued no later than this week on March 22, 2022, and this policy was taken about the success or smooth implementation of the trials in Bali, Batam, and Bintan", said Sandiaga.

"Only with the entry PCR test", said Sandiaga in the Weekly Press Briefing, as seen on the ministry's official website.

Sandiaga said the circular letter of the task force for handling COVID-19 related to the no-quarantine policy was issued no later than March 22, 2022.

In addition to the controlled handling of the pandemic, he added, the smooth implementation of no-quarantine trials in Bali, Batam, and Bintan was also a reference for the government to expand the no-quarantine policy throughout Indonesia.

In the three regions, the positivity rate is said to be very low and the reproduction rate is decreasing.

"To remind us all, testing and tracing must be strengthened again. Indeed, antigen as a travel requirement has been removed, but as surveillance, as a condition for close contact, this must be strengthened", said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Sandiaga also stated that the use of PeduliLindung should be increasingly utilized considering that the last few weeks the use of the application showed a downward trend.

On the same occasion, he stated that during the month of Ramadan, people can worship freely while still implementing health procedures, and have carried out complete and booster doses of vaccination, which will be adjusted to the level of density in houses of worship.

"So later there will be a circular and an announcement. And this, alhamdulillah, means that we can re-enact Tarawih (prayer) and we will also activate iftar activities together with of course strict and disciplined health protocols", he said.