Indonesia Extend The Isolation Period For Travelers From Malaysia And Other COVID-19 Crisis Countries

Soekarno-Hatta Airport (ILLUSTRATION/ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said the government would issue a new rule regarding the extension of the isolation period for foreign travelers.

In particular, travelers who come from countries that are under quarantine (lockdown) such as Malaysia and other countries that are experiencing a crisis in handling COVID-19.

"The Indonesian government plans to extend the quarantine duration from 5x24 hours to 14x24 hours for travelers from countries experiencing the COVID-19 crisis", Wiku said in a virtual press conference, Friday, June 4.

Currently, the rules regarding foreign travelers are regulated through the Circular of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 8 of 2021.

In this regulation, Indonesia temporarily closes the entry of foreigners from all countries to Indonesia, either directly or in transit in foreign countries, except for diplomatic and service visa holders, diplomatic residence permits, and official residence permits, KITAS and KITAP holders, travel corridor arrangement (TCA). ), and people who get special permission in writing from the ministry/institution.

Overseas travelers are required to do the COVID-19 RT-PCR test 3 times, namely before departure, after arriving in Indonesia, and after undergoing a 5x24 hour isolation period.

"In principle, the screening mechanism, both testing, and quarantine for entering and leaving Indonesia must be carried out properly to prevent the importation of cases", said Wiku.

Later, the extension of the isolation period to two weeks for travelers will be published in the latest COVID-19 Task Force circular.

As is known, since Tuesday, June 1, Malaysia has implemented a total lockdown to deal with the increase in COVID-19 cases. Day after day the data collection shows an increasingly serious situation. How severe is the current wave of COVID-19 in Malaysia?

The total lockdown will be implemented in the next two weeks. All malls are closed. There are only 17 service sectors that are allowed to operate during. These sectors include health care, telecommunications, food, beverages, utilities, banking, and media.

The government also granted license exemptions for companies in 12 manufacturing sectors, including food and beverage manufacturing. The manufacturing sector of medical devices and textiles is also permitted to maintain the production of personal protective equipment.