VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 Foreign nationals entering Indonesia need to abide by standard procedures implemented globally, which also require them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has said.

"All foreign nationals entering Indonesia need to have their vaccine cards ready. So only those who have received their full vaccination doses (can enter)," he elaborated at an online press conference on Tuesday.

Pandjaitan, who is also deputy chair of the National COVID-19 Handling and Economic Recovery Committee, said that aside from being fully vaccinated, foreign nationals will also need to take PCR swab tests prior to coming to Indonesia and once again upon their arrival.

"They then have to stay under quarantine for eight days. Followed by another PCR test for which they have to test negative," he added.

Similar procedures are being implemented in other parts of the world, although different periods of quarantine are being enforced everywhere, the minister pointed out.

Pandjaitan, who is acting as coordinator for the emergency mobility restrictions (PPKM) on the islands of Java and Bali, said that there is nothing out of the ordinary in the procedures being implemented for foreign nationals entering Indonesia.

He also asked those speaking against the rules to seek information, adding that the policy of keeping the nation's borders open for foreign nationals is being implemented on a principle of reciprocity.

It has been reported earlier that starting from July 6, 2021, foreigners entering Indonesia will be required to show vaccination cards and a negative PCR result for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the rule on vaccination certificates will not apply to diplomats and for foreign ministerial-level visits, in accordance with diplomatic practices that are also applied by other countries. (Antaranews)