VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Transportation Ministry has updated the international travel regulation to prevent the entry of the B.1.1.529 or Omicron variant into Indonesia and to suppress the likelihood of a third wave in the country.

The new regulation is stipulated in Circular Letter No. 106 of 2021 on guidelines on International Travel through air transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Transportation Director General Novie Riyanto remarked.

"We have to prevent the third wave. In the country, we have imposed the public activities restrictions (PPKM) for Christmas and New Year while we are averting the Omicron variant from emerging in Indonesia," Riyanto noted at the press conference "Handling the Country's Entrance and Exit Through International Air Travel" here on Saturday.

Riyanto explained that the new regulation changed the duration of mandatory quarantine for travelers coming from outside Indonesia, from a week to 10 days, except for 11 countries where the Omicron variant had been detected, including those geographically located near the transmitting countries.

Indonesia has banned entry for foreign travelers both coming and transiting from/at these 11 countries: South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong (China), Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Lesotho.

Moreover, the regulation altered the requirement of PCR test for foreign airline personnel, earlier from 7x24 hours to 3x24 hours, and added a mandatory PCR test during their arrival.

"Foreign airline pilots, flight attendants, and all technicians will fall under the same (policy). The regulation is valid from December 3, 2021," he expounded.

Riyanto said the Indonesian government had acknowledged that the COVID-19 Omicron variant had spread to over 11 countries and also to Malaysia and Singapore.

He expressed optimism that the government's efforts would help to prevent the variant from entering Indonesia.

Moreover, he appealed to all stakeholders and airport operators to diligently implement the regulations.

"We increase awareness by tightening the rules. I have urged the airport to review the existing SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and be as consistent and compliant as possible," he concluded.  (Antaranews)