JAKARTA - Commission IX of the DPR highlighted the policy of the Government of Saudi Arabia which prohibits its citizens from entering Indonesia on the grounds of the condition of the COVID-19 case. Apart from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia also prohibits its citizens from coming to 15 other countries. Member of Commission IX DPR RI, Rahmad Handoyo, admitted that he was surprised by the reason Saudi Arabia banned its citizens because of COVID-19. The reason is, the current situation in the country has improved. "I think this is surprising. We are one of the (exceptions, ed) citizens of Saudi Arabia who are prohibited from going to 16 countries including us (Indonesia)," said Rahmad, Tuesday, May 24. Rahmad actually questioned whether it was true that Saudi Arabia banned its citizens just because of the COVID-19 case. "I just asked, is this really only limited to COVID-19?," continued Rahmad.
The PDIP politician assesses that the development of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has now slowed down, so it should be grateful. Moreover, after the Lebaran holiday, the increase in cases is not like last year.
"February rose sharply during the Nataru holidays (Christmas and New Year's). Previously, there was a potential for Eid to increase, but thank God it was good, both from daily cases of no more than 250 per day, then daily hospitalizations also decreased," explained Rahmad.
In fact, continued Rahmad, the national positivity rate is relatively low at 0.38 percent. Meanwhile, daily intensive care and daily death cases after Eid also decreased.
"The question is, is this really only limited to the condition of COVID-19?" he asked.
Rahmad then compared the daily COVID-19 cases in Indonesia with other countries. He said, in the United States it reached 100 thousand cases per day, Taiwan 70 thousand cases per day, and South Africa 10 thousand cases per day.
"Among other countries, we are pretty good, even the government has made adjustments to regulations such as not having to wear masks in open areas," said Rahmad. Moreover, Indonesia has scheduled the departure of the hajj in early July.
"Is it really only limited to COVID-19 or are there other issues? I think the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to ask the government (Arab Suadi) for what reason?," concluded Rahmad. This was revealed from the official announcement of the Saudi Directorate General of Passports (Jawazat), last weekend. Not only Indonesia, this rule also applies to 15 other countries. Not because of war or terrorism, the reason is because of the COVID-19 case that occurred.
"Saudi Arabian citizens are prohibited from traveling to 16 countries due to COVID-19 cases in these countries," Jawazat said, quoted from the Saudi Gazette media, Tuesday, May 24.
"The list of countries includes Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Armenia, Belarus and Venezuela."
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
