Indonesia: Officials continue to adjust COVID-19 restrictions as of Jan. 26 /update 63

Event

Indonesia continues to adjust restrictions to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of Jan. 26. Authorities have extended the entry ban for most foreigners through Feb. 8 due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Exemptions from the ongoing entry ban for foreigners 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. A nationwide public health emergency remains in effect until further notice.

Indonesia's central government has extended public activity restrictions, termed PPKM, in parts of Java and Bali through Feb. 8 due to continued high levels of COVID-19 activity in those areas. Nonessential industries must implement telecommuting for 75 percent of the employees, while essential sectors can continue operating on-site with full capacity. Schools must 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 50-percent capacity. Food establishments and shopping centers can operate until 2000 nightly. Local authorities in some localities may adjust the restrictions to accommodate local conditions. Officials may modify or further extend the protocols at short notice.

Localities enforcing PPKM as of Jan. 26 include:

• Bali Province: Denpasar city and Badung, Gianyar, Klungkung, and Tabanan regencies

• Central Java Province: Around 21 localities, including Semarang and Surakarta cities and Brebes, Cilacap, and Semarang regencies

• East Java Province: Around ten localities, including Surabaya and Malang cities and Gresik and Sidoarjo regencies

• Yogyakarta Province: All parts of the province, including Yogyakarta city and four regencies

Additionally, some localities are also enacting large-scale social distancing rules termed PSBB, which are typically stricter than PPKM. Jakarta and West Java Province are implementing PSBB through Feb. 8, while Banten Province is enforcing the rules through Feb. 17. While the protocols vary by locality, rules typically include suspending schools, suspending on-site operations of nonessential industries, and limiting the capacity or operating hours of sectors that remain open. Areas with significant COVID-19 activity can apply to the central government to enact PSBB. Localities that are not implementing large-scale social distancing restrictions may also implement other curbs, such as suspending schools or entertainment venues.

All nonrail 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 for domestic travel are ongoing in the following areas:

• Java: People arriving in or leaving Java or traveling within Java by air must present a negative result from a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) within 72 hours before departure or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before departure. Passengers arriving in or leaving Java or traveling within Java by land or sea must present a negative result from an RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours before departure.

• Bali: Passengers entering Bali via air travel must present a negative result from an RT-PCR taken within 48 hours before departure or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure. Entrants by land or sea routes must present a negative result from an RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours before departure.

• Other regions: People traveling to Java or Bali from other parts of Indonesia by air must present a negative result from an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before departure or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before departure. Passengers traveling by sea must present a negative result from an RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours before departure.

Officials will accept negative results from breathalyzer tests, termed GeNose, from passengers who are boarding rail services from Feb. 5. The rail travelers will continue to have the option of taking an RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test.

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

Travel Restrictions
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, register on the eHAC mobile application before the trips, quarantine for five days at designated facilities upon arrival, and obtain a negative result from another COVID-19 test before leaving the isolation premises. All international travelers are also encouraged to download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application.

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