VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia's state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II said it has implemented the Legal and Human Rights Minister's Regulation Number 27 of 2021 on the Restrictions on Foreigners Entering Indonesia amid the Community Activities Restrictions (PPKM).

“International AP II airports, including Soekarno-Hatta Airport, have been aware of the regulation Number 27 of 2021 and coordinated with the stakeholders to implement it,” stated the PT AP II president director Muhammad Awaluddin in a written statement on Thursday.

The regulation restricts foreigners from entering or transiting through Indonesia, except diplomatic and service visa holders; diplomatic and service residence permit holders; limited and permanent residence permit holders; individuals arriving on medical and humanitarian purposes (at the recommendation of a ministry); as well as, transportation crews arriving with the said transports, he explained.

All international passengers arriving at AP II airports -- foreigners belonging to the five categories allowed entry and Indonesians -- have to comply with the health protocols, bring a RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) test result, as well as go through quarantine, according to the procedure, he said.

Foreigners excluded from the categories are prohibited from entering Indonesia and will be checked at the international arrival area by the immigration office, he informed.

Prior to the regulation's issuance, foreigners were allowed to enter the country if they were working on national strategic projects or for a family union. However, the Legal and Human Rights Minister has affirmed that travel to Indonesia for those reasons is no longer allowed, in accordance with the new rule.

“Almost all international flights amid this pandemic take place in Soekarno-Hatta Airport. AP II along with all stakeholders will work closely under the COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force to carry out the procedure for international passengers,” Awaluddin said.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Ministry Circular Letter Number 53 of 2021 has regulated domestic routes.

According to the letter, passengers traveling from or to Java or Bali airports have to bring vaccination cards (showing they have taken at least one vaccine dose) and RT-PCR test results taken maximum 2x24 hours before travel.

Meanwhile, passengers traveling from or to other airports will need to bring an RT-PCR test result taken maximum 2x24 hours before travel or an antigen rapid test taken maximum 1x24 hours before travel.

During the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha 1442 Hijri from July 19-25, 2021, an age limit of 18 years has been imposed, except for essential or critical sectors workers (identified by Employee Registration Certificate/STRP or other certificate from the authorized institutions); seriously ill patients; pregnant women, accompanied by one family member; women traveling for childbirth, accompanied by maximum two people; and, company for a non-COVID-19 dead body with maximum number of five people (identified by a hospital referral letter or other authorized letter). (Antaranews)