Indonesia: Authorities to enact large-scale COVID-19 curbs in Java and Bali islands Jan. 11-25 /update 60

Event

Indonesia plans to enforce large-scale social distancing restrictions, known as PSBB, in Java and Bali islands Jan. 11-25 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities attribute the policy to the continued high levels of COVID-19 activity in the areas. Nonessential industries must implement telecommuting for 75 percent of the employees, while essential sectors can continue operating on-site with full capacity. Schools will close and use distance learning. Food establishments can serve dine-in customers up to 25 percent of the seating capacity, while places of worship can open with half the capacity. Shopping centers can operate only until 1900 nightly. Authorities will likely also reduce the operating hours of public transport, though details are unclear. Officials may modify or expand the protocols at short notice.

Other areas with significant COVID-19 activity can apply to the central government to enact large-scale social distancing rules, which typically include suspending schools and closing or limiting workplaces' operating hours. A nationwide public health emergency remains in effect until further notice.

Enhanced testing requirements for domestic travel remain in effect through Jan. 8. All air, rail, and sea passengers aged above 12 years must produce negative results of a rapid antigen or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 within a specified duration when undertaking select domestic trips. Other passengers may continue traveling with a rapid antigen test result taken no longer than 14 days before travel. All international or non-rail domestic travelers must register on the Health Alert Card (eHAC) mobile application before travel and are advised to download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application. Specific rules are ongoing in the following areas:

• Bali: Entrants via sea routes, as well as private or public vehicles, must produce negative results of a rapid antigen test taken within two days before departure. Air passengers must submit results of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours prior to departure.

• Jakarta: Passengers entering or departing Jakarta via air, rail, sea, and land public transport must produce negative results of a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours before departure.

• Java Island: Those traveling to, from, or within regions on Java Island must produce negative results of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before the trips. Testing may be availed at train stations including Cirebon Prujakan, Gambir, Kiaracondong, Pasar Senen, Semarang Tawang, Surabaya Gubeng, Surabaya Pasar Turi, Tegal, and Yogyakarta.

Authorities require aircraft and public land transport to operate at 70-percent capacity and private-hire vehicles and taxis at 50-percent capacity. There is no capacity limit for sea transport, though other protocols are in place. While central authorities have instructed local officials nationwide to implement health rules such as distancing controls, the central and local governments' enforcement level is unclear. Officials could revise measures at short notice.

While some localities have lifted large-scale social-distancing restrictions, localized controls, such as the suspension of night entertainment venues and schools, are in effect in several areas without large-scale distancing rules. Additionally, the central government has ordered localities with high COVID-19 activity to allow 75 percent of civil servants to telecommute.

Locals affected by the pandemic and related controls have staged protests across Indonesia. Further rallies are possible, especially if officials do not provide sufficient assistance to affected groups of people.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities continue to suspend the entry of foreign citizens through Jan. 14 due to concerns over a new COVID-19 strain. Exemptions are in place for high-level state visits and holders of Limited Stay Permit Cards, among others; the government's level of enforcement is unclear. Returning Indonesian citizens and foreigners who can still enter the country must present evidence that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours before departure, quarantine for five days at designated facilities upon arrival, and obtain a negative result from another COVID-19 test before leaving the isolation premises.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

State COVID-19 Portal
World Health Organization (WHO)
PeduliLindungi application
eHac application