Yogya, Makassar And Medan Reopen Entrances For Foreign Travel

Photo by Ditya Rafi Muttaqin on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menkomarves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the government would reopen three international airports as entry points for foreign travelers (PPLN).

This is done to get to a more normal condition even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. This is because, based on data from the Global Normalcy Index released by the Economist magazine, Indonesia's current value is at 68 out of 100 as a normal condition.

"One thing we still have to improve is the international flight capacity which is still far from normal. For that, the government will take steps including opening international airports including Yogyakarta, Medan and Makassar," said Luhut in a virtual press conference, Monday, April 4.

The airports referred to by Luhut are Yogyakarta International Airport, Kualanamu International Airport, and Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.

Meanwhile, so far, the government has set Overseas Travel Regulations (PPLN) entrances at a number of airports, namely Soekarno Hatta Airport, Banten; Juanda Airport, East Java; Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali; Hang Nadim Airport, Riau Islands; Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport, Riau Islands; Sam Ratulangi Airport, North Sulawesi; and Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Airport, West Nusa Tenggara.

Meanwhile, the sea entrances are Tanjung Benoa Harbor, Bali; Batam Port, Riau Islands; Tanjung Pinang Port, Riau Islands; Bintan Harbor, Riau Islands; and Nunukan Harbor, North Kalimantan.

Then, the entrance to the border area is the Aruk State Border Post, West Kalimantan; Entikong, West Kalimantan; and Motaain, East Nusa Tenggara

Furthermore, Luhut revealed, the visa policy will continue to be relaxed closer to the rules before the pandemic. The PPLN entry test rules for entering Indonesia will also be relaxed, so that the number of incoming flights can increase without causing buildup at the airport.

"Details regarding this matter will still be discussed and decided and will take effect immediately when the SE Task Force has been issued," added Luhut.