Jakarta - The Directorate General of Immigration has refused entry of 118 foreigners to Indonesia, as part of a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, COVID-19.

"The number is as accumulated from February 5 to 23, 2020, and obtained from all immigration gates across the country," Arvin Gumilang, spokesman of the directorate general, said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

They were not only from China, but also some other countries including Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, as well as some European and African countries, since they had travelled to China within 14 days before their arrival in Indonesia.

Immigration check point at Bali International Airport of Ngurah Rai recorded the highest number of refusal, notably 89 foreigners.

The legal basis used for this refusal is the Law and Human Rights Ministry's Regulation Number 3 of 2020 on the Suspension of Visa-free entry, Visa on arrival, as well as stay permit for Chinese nationals.

Beside, the directorate had also issued some 1,247 emergency stay permits to Chinese residents already staying here before the regulation being imposed.

The regulation was signed by Minister Yasonna Laoly on Feb. 5, 2020, and will be valid through Feb. 29, 2020, and it will later be evaluated. (ANTARA)