Indonesia: Authorities to tighten vaccination and testing requirements for domestic and outbound international travel from July 17 /update 121

Event

Authorities will tighten the vaccination and testing requirements for domestic and outbound international travel from July 17 amid continued COVID-19 activity. Domestic intercity travelers aged 18 and above who have not received any COVID-19 vaccine will have to show a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before the trip, while passengers who have completed their primary vaccination but have not received their booster dose will have to show either a negative result from an ART test taken with 24 hours or a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. People who have obtained their booster dose are not required to show any test results to travel domestically.

Indonesian citizens aged 18 and above will also have to provide evidence that they have received their booster dose to travel overseas. It is unclear if any exceptions are possible.

Domestic Measures
Level 1 rules of the public activity restrictions system (PPKM) are in effect in nearly all localities nationwide through Aug. 1; PPKM tiers run from Level 1 through Level 4 in increasing order of severity. Level 2 curbs are ongoing in Sorong Regency, West Papua Province. Most businesses and activities under levels 1 and 2 may operate at a maximum of 100 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Businesses and facilities defined as operating in critical sectors can work on-site at full capacity under all tiers.

Local jurisdictions may implement tighter restrictions on top of the measures mandated by the central government if the rate of transmission warrants.

Other nationwide measures continue. Facemask use is mandatory in indoor venues and on public transport vehicles, but not in outdoor areas. Officials require all domestic travelers to download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application.

International Travel Restrictions
The government currently allows citizens, permanent residents, foreigners on high-level diplomatic state visits, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel cardholders, and tourists from some international locations to enter Indonesia. All permitted incoming travelers, regardless of nationality, must download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application before their trips.

All international arrivals are subject to health screenings. Passengers whose body temperature is above 37.5 must undergo a PCR test. People who obtain a positive result from the PCR test must quarantine at a designated facility; the duration of the quarantine varies as per medical advice. Foreign nationals who are subject to the mandatory PCR test and/or quarantine must pay for the costs.

International entrants aged 18 and above who show proof of having received their primary COVID-19 dose at least 14 days before the departure are exempt from mandatory quarantine; exceptions from the vaccination requirement are possible for travelers with medical conditions and foreign diplomatic visa holders, among others. Permitted entrants who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine at a designated facility for five days upon entry and undergo a PCR test on the fourth day of the quarantine.

Authorities allow passport holders from 72 international locations, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, and ASEAN countries, to obtain a visa on arrival. Passengers may enter Indonesia by air through Jakarta, Batam, Denpasar, Makassar, Manado, Mataram, Medan, Surabaya, Tanjungpinang, and Yogyakarta; by sea through all ports; and by land through some checkpoints in East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, and Papua provinces. Additionally, officials permit people who are returning from the annual Hajj pilgrimage to enter Indonesia by air through Balikpapan, Banda Aceh, Banjarmasin, Padang, Palembang, and Surakarta through Aug. 15.

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.

Resources

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