Indonesia: Authorities extend public activity restrictions in parts of Java and Bali through March 8 /update 65

Event

Indonesia has extended the public activity restrictions, termed PPKM, in parts of Java and Bali through March 8 due to continued high levels of COVID-19 activity in those areas. The government allows 50 percent of employees in nonessential industries to work in an office, though there are tighter curbs in areas with higher COVID-19 activity. Shopping centers and food establishments can operate through 2100 nightly. Schools must remain closed and use distance learning. Authorities may adjust the restrictions or enact the measures in additional cities or regencies to accommodate local conditions. Localities enforcing PPKM through March 8 include all parts of Jakarta and Yogyakarta Province; Tangerang and South Tangerang cities and Tangerang Regency in Banten Province; the greater Bandung area, Bogor and Bekasi regencies and Bekasi, Bogor, Cimahi, and Depok cities in West Java Province; the greater Semarang and greater Banyumas regions and Surakarta city in Central Java; greater Surabaya, greater Malang, and greater Madiun regions in East Java Province; and Denpasar city and Badung, Gianyar, Klungkung, and Tabanan regencies in Bali Province.

The government also requires local officials in these cities and regencies to enforce varying localized restrictions at the neighborhood (Rukun Tetangga) level, as follows:

• Red zones: Neighborhoods with more than 10 households with a COVID-19 patient in the past seven days must implement restrictions, including suspending public gatherings of more than three people and banning entry and exit from the localities after 2000 nightly.

• Orange zones: Neighborhoods with 6-10 households with a COVID-19 patient can allow only essential facilities to operate.

• Yellow zones: Neighborhoods with 1-5 households with a COVID-19 patient must implement contact tracing.

• Green zones: Neighborhoods without any household with a COVID-19 patient must conduct tests for suspected cases.

Additionally, some localities are also enacting large-scale social distancing rules termed PSBB, which are typically stricter than PPKM. PSBB is ongoing in Jakarta and West Java Province as of Feb. 22. Banten Province is enforcing the rules through March 19. 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. People traveling by rail can provide negative results from breathalyzer tests, termed GeNose.

• 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.

A nationwide public health emergency remains in effect until further notice. 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
The entry ban for most foreigners remains in effect due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Exemptions from the entry ban 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, 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.

Resources

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