Indonesia: Authorities modify COVID-19 testing rules for domestic travelers through Jan. 8; Jakarta extending large-scale social-distancing rules /update 55

Event

Indonesia is modifying testing requirements for domestic travel through Jan. 8. Under these measures, all air, rail, and sea passengers aged above 12 years old must produce negative results of a rapid antigen or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for coronavirus disease (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 prior to travel, and are advised to download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application. Specific measures are as follows.

• Bali: Entrants via sea routes, as well as private or public vehicles, must produce negative results of a rapid antigen test taken no longer than two days before departure. Air passengers are required to submit results of a RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours prior to departure.

• Jakarta city: All those entering or departing Jakarta via air, rail, and sea, as well as public transportation on land routes 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 the island of Java via any route must produce negative results of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Testing may be availed at train stations including Cirebon Prujakan, Gambir, Kiaracondong, Pasar Senen, Semarang Tawang, Surabaya Gubeng, Surabaya Pasar Turi, Tegal, and Yogyakarta.

Officials continue to impose restrictions, including the large-scale social-distancing measures known as PSBB, in several localities to stem the spread of COVID-19 as of Dec. 22. Areas with significant COVID-19 activity can apply to the central government to enact large-scale social distancing rules. While controls vary by location, common restrictions in these areas include suspending schools and closing or limiting workplaces' operating hours. A nationwide public health emergency remains in effect until further notice.

As of Dec. 22, large-scale social-distancing curbs are in place in the following areas:

• Jakarta: Officials have extended protocols through at least Jan. 3. Nonessential industries can operate on-site with a maximum of half the workforce; essential industries and civil servants can continue working on-site. Food establishments can serve dine-in customers 0600-2100 daily to a maximum of 50 percent of seating capacity. Shopping malls, markets, places of worship, and indoor sporting facilities can host activities at a maximum of 50-percent capacity. Cinemas, fitness centers, and recreational parks may open at a 25-percent capacity. Public transport may run with reduced passenger capacities and operating hours. Schools remain closed. Officials continue to encourage locals to wear facemasks and observe social distancing when in public.

• Ambon, Maluku Province: Ongoing restrictions include limiting gatherings to 30 people, as well as public transport operations until 1800 daily with restrictive protocols, such as capacity limits. Several public places, like cinemas, massage parlors, beauty salons, shopping centers, markets, and food establishments, can operate with reduced operating hours. Other entertainment facilities, including karaoke parlors, remain closed. Authorities have set up 20 checkpoints to enforce protocols. Violators may receive fines of up to IDR 30 million (USD 2,100).

• Bandung, West Java Province: Large-scale social-distancing controls are in effect until further notice. Public and private offices must allow 70 percent of employees to telecommute. Tourism and entrainment venues can function at a maximum of 30 percent of their normal visitor capacity. Malls and food establishments can operate only until 2000 daily. Officials have closed some public facilities, including parks and public squares.

• Banten Province: Restrictions are ongoing through Jan. 18. Authorities have set up checkpoints to ensure that vehicle passengers adhere to health controls. However, measures vary across the province. Greater Tangerang limits public transport's operating hours to 0500-1800 daily with mandatory social-distancing protocols. Shopping centers can open until 2000 daily. Serang has set up eight checkpoints to conduct health screening of those entering the area and requires shopping malls to close by 1800.

• Bekasi, Bogor, and Depok, West Java Province: Controls are ongoing in Bekasi, Bogor, and Depok cities and Bekasi and Bogor regencies through Dec. 23; extensions are likely. Employees who can work on-site must bring their identification card, company letter, and a document stating they have tested negative for COVID-19. Factory workers in Bekasi Regency must record their daily movements. Bogor and Depok cities have shortened the operating hours of shopping malls and other public facilities, while people must be home by 2100 daily.

Some localities have lifted large-scale social-distancing restrictions due to reduced COVID-19 activity and concerns over their economic impact. However, 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.

The central government requires intercity land and sea travelers to produce certificates stating they have tested negative for COVID-19. Domestic air travelers must provide a doctor's letter certifying the absence of flu-like symptoms or medical certification with a maximum 14-day validity confirming negative results of a swab or rapid COVID-19 test. Passengers must also show identification documents. Officials require planes 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 protocols such as distancing controls, the central and local governments' enforcement level is unclear. Officials may revise measures at short notice.

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

Travel Restrictions
Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering and transiting the country. Exemptions are in place for permanent residents, diplomats, and transport workers, among others. Arrivals must produce documents stating they are free from COVID-19; travelers without the certificates will undergo tests upon arrival and isolate at government-designated sites until test results are released. Authorities advise arrivals to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Cross-border travel arrangements for business and official purposes are in place with mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. People entering Indonesia under the scheme must have a sponsoring Indonesian entity, test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure, and receive another test upon arrival. Indonesia has set up a similar scheme with Japan, though the start date is unclear. Officials also require people leaving Indonesia to produce certificates stating they do not carry COVID-19.

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