JAKARTA - The crowd of foreign nationals (WNA) at the arrival terminal of Soekarno-Hatta Airport is in the spotlight. Chairman of DPD RI AA LaNyalla Mahmud Mattalitti asked airport managers to strictly implement health protocols, especially now that a new coronavirus (COVID-19) strain from the UK is emerging.
"The crowd of foreigners in the arrival area of Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport ahead of the new year celebration should be a common concern," said LaNyalla in his written statement, Tuesday, December 29.
LaNyalla criticized the lack of health protocols that caused a crowd of foreigners on Monday, December 28, yesterday at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Because from the pictures circulating on social media, the crowd of foreigners looks full. The foreigners also did not keep their distance as one of the health protocols that should be implemented.
"I don't know what happened until a crowd appeared at the airport terminal. The management must provide an explanation to the public," said LaNyalla.
Just got news from colleagues, this is the situation for T3's international arrival tonight. I don't know what we want to be. pic.twitter.com/nmyeTeX1Lf
- Aris Ramdhani (@arisrmd) December 28, 2020
Overcrowding of foreigners at Soekarno-Hatta Airport occurred on the same day as the issuance of a policy regarding the prohibition of foreigners from entering Indonesia. However, the policy applies from January 1 to January 14, 2021.
"Even so, the COVID-19 Task Force has issued provisions for foreigners arriving in Indonesia from December 28 to 31, 2020. These provisions must be obeyed by all foreigners," said LaNyalla.
The provisions in question are the obligations of foreigners to show a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 from their country of origin and to re-examine the PCR upon arrival in Indonesia. In addition, foreigners must also quarantine for 5 days and then carry out another PCR test. If the result is negative, the new foreigner may continue the journey back.
The policy of temporarily closing the door for foreigners was carried out by the government in anticipation of the new corona virus from abroad. This variant of the corona virus is said to be more contagious.
"For this reason, the relevant parties must think about foreigners arriving before January 1, 2021. This needs to be done to avoid imported cases of the new corona virus," said LaNyalla.
The senator from the electoral district of East Java asked the crowd of foreigners at Soekarno-Hatta Airport not to happen again. PT Angkasa Pura II, the Ministry of Transportation, and the COVID-19 Handling Task Force must be more careful about the arrival of foreigners and also Indonesian citizens who return to their homeland. LaNyalla said, this also applies to all regions in Indonesia with any mode of transportation.
"Both airports, terminals, train stations, and ports must really prepare for the arrival of foreigners and our citizens who have just returned to Indonesia. Moreover, there has been a surge in passengers during the year-end holidays," he said.
To note, the crowd at Soekarno-Hatta Airport went viral on social media after a doctor posted a photo of hundreds of foreigners crowded into the arrival area of Soekarno-Hatta terminal 3. The doctor regretted the incident. Because besides having the potential to carry the new corona virus, these foreigners also ignore health protocols.
VOI tried to contact the management of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, namely PT Angkasa Pura II. However, they have not been able to provide information regarding the virality of this incident.
"Later we will send a release," said AP II to VOI when contacted, Wednesday, December 29.
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