Indonesia: Officials extend curbs in Java and Bali through Aug. 29, tighten domestic travel restrictions /update 123

Event

Authorities have extended Level 1, the least stringent tier, of COVID-19 protocols under the public activity restrictions system (PPKM) in Java and Bali islands through at least Aug. 29. PPKM tiers run from Level 1 through Level 4 in increasing order of severity.

Additionally, officials have tightened pre-departure testing requirements for domestic intercity travel as of Aug. 16. Passengers aged 18 and above who have not received their booster dose must show a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure; officials formerly allowed travelers to show a negative result from an ART taken within 24 hours before departure. Passengers aged 6-17 who are unvaccinated or have received only one COVID-19 vaccine dose must show either a negative result from an ART taken within 24 hours or an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. Travelers aged 18 and above who have obtained their booster dose and people aged 6-17 who have gotten a second COVID-19 vaccine dose do not need to show any test results.

Domestic Measures
Level 1 curbs under the PPKM curbs remain in effect in all localities outside Java and Bali through Sept. 5. Most businesses and activities can operate at full capacity on-site under Level 1 of PPKM; officials permit only 75 percent of administrative staff in some industries, like finance and export-oriented sectors, to work on site. 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. Authorities allow people to enter public facilities, like eateries and shopping centers, only if they have received a booster COVID-19 dose. Officials require all domestic travelers to download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application. The enforcement of the policies varies across Indonesia.

Authorities require people who test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine at their residence for at least seven days. Individuals who obtain a negative result from a PCR test on the sixth day of the quarantine can leave their quarantine on the seventh day; people who receive a positive result from a PCR test on the sixth day or are unable to undergo a PCR test must continue quarantining until the tenth day. The policy’s enforcement level varies across Indonesia.

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 C (99.5 F) 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 must show proof of having received their primary COVID-19 dose at least 14 days before the departure; exceptions from the vaccination requirement are possible for Indonesian citizens and travelers with medical conditions, among others. Fully vaccinated inbound passengers are exempt from mandatory quarantine upon arrival. 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 75 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, Balikpapan, Banda Aceh, Banjarmasin, Batam, Denpasar, Makassar, Manado, Mataram, Medan, Padang, Palembang, Pekanbaru, Surabaya, Surakarta, Tanjungpinang, and Yogyakarta; by sea through all ports; and by land through some checkpoints in East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, and Papua provinces.

Indonesian citizens aged 18 and above must provide evidence that they have received their booster dose to travel overseas.

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
PeduliLindungi application
World Health Organization (WHO)