Pandemic Rate Is Still High, Bambang Soesatyo Asks The Government To Tighten The Procedure For The Arrival Of Chinese Foreigners

Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet) (Photo: Bambang Soesatyo documentation)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet) reminded the Government to consider carefully the permit for the arrival of foreign nationals (FOREIGNERS) from China to Indonesia. Because the case of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in other countries is increasing.

"Given the global situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, it remains to be seen why many countries have entered the second and third pandemics and the many variants of viral mutations that must be prevented from spreading", Bamsoet said on Thursday, May 20.

According to him, the re-entry of 158 Foreigners from China to Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, last week should be the evaluation material of the government.

Although the Ministry of Health together with the Task Force on Handling COVID-19 continues to ensure that all migrants, both foreigners and Indonesian citizens who enter the territory of Indonesia are in accordance with the procedures as stipulated in the Circular letter of the Task Force on Handling COVID-19 No. 8 of 2021 concerning International Travel Health Protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bamsoet asked the government to tighten the procedure for the arrival of foreigners through immigration as an effort to prevent and handle COVID-19 and its mutation variants related to the crossing of people, including foreigners entering Indonesian territory. "The commitment of the government, especially the Directorate General of Immigration working at the crossing, both land, sea, and air to further tighten the inspection and supervision of incoming foreigners", he said.

"As well as improving self-protection and prevention for Indonesians and foreigners who enter, in addition to considering restrictions until the temporary closure of mobility of migrants, especially those from abroad", said the Golkar Party politician.