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Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Ganip Warsito observing adherence to health protocols during the Papua XX National Sports Week Multipurpose Building St Yoseph Church, Merauke, on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. (ANTARA/HO-BNPB/aa) - 

The COVID-19 Task Force has made it compulsory for all international travellers, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners, to undergo quarantine for five days upon arrival in Indonesia.

This was outlined in Circular Letter Number 20 of 2021 on international travel health protocols during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, issued by the COVID-19 Task Force.

"This circular letter aims to impose health protocols for international travellers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to monitor, control, and evaluate in order to prevent an increase in COVID-19 transmission," Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Ganip Warsito noted in a written statement received here on Thursday.

The policy is effective from October 14, 2021, until a later time is determined. It will be evaluated further in accordance with the latest developments or the evaluation results from the relevant ministries, agencies, or institutions.

With the enactment of Circular Letter Number 20 of 2021, SE Number 18 of 2021, Addendum to Circular Letter Number 18 of 2021 and Second Addendum to Circular Letter Number 18 of 2021 are now invalid.

A change in the duration of quarantine has been outlined in Circular Letter Number 20 of 2021. It has been reduced from 8x24 hours to 5x24 hours for all types of travellers.

International travelers must present their full vaccine certificates at least 14 days before departure and attach them in English apart from their native language.

Foreign tourists may enter Indonesia through airports in Bali and the Riau Islands.

In addition to the proof of vaccination and RT-PCR results for a maximum of 3x24 hours, the traveler is required to attach documents of a short visit visa or other valid entry permit for foreigners, proof of ownership of insurance worth US$100 thousand that covers financing for COVID-19, and proof of accommodation booking during their stay in Indonesia.

Healso  issued Decree No. 14 of 2021 on entry points, quarantine places, and RT-PCR obligations for Indonesian citizens undertaking international travel. It is effective from October 13 to December 31, 2021.

In the decree, Warsito designated two airports Soekarno Hatta and Sam Ratulangi; three ports Batam, Tanjung Pinang, and Nunukan; and two Cross-Border Posts: Aruk and Entikong.

The decree also designated Pademangan Village as a quarantine place for Indonesian citizens traveling internationally who enter through the Soekarno Hatta Airport, Banten. The services offered by the Pademangan Village include lodging, transportation, meals, and RT-PCR tests.

The designated quarantine place is specifically intended for Indonesian citizens, with Indonesian Migrant Workers status that return to Indonesia and stay at least 14 days in Indonesia.

Apart from migrant workers, Pademangan Village is also meant to cater to students returning to Indonesia after studying overseas and government employees returning to Indonesia after undertaking official trips abroad.

The decree also imposes a rule for Indonesian citizens traveling internationally. Those coming from countries, with low COVID-19 case count, are required to undergo a five-day quarantine. However, those traveling to countries with high count of COVID-19 cases must undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Since the newest stipulation was issued, the Decree of the Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Number 13 of 2021 on entry points, quarantine places, and RT-PCR obligations for Indonesian citizens travelling internationally has been rendered invalid//ANT

West Java lifter Fitria Martiningsih (middle) on the first podium after securing the gold medal in women's powerlifting at the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) held at the Cendrawasih Jayapura University’s auditorium on Thursday (October 14, 2021). (ANTARA/Andi Firdaus) - 

West Java lifter Fitria Martiningsih grabbed the sixth gold medal for the province in the women’s powerlifting event at the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) on Thursday.

At the Cendrawasih Jayapura University’s auditorium, Martiningsih, born on March 11, 1993, competed in the women’s 84+ kg category, with final lifts totaling 677.5 kg: 295-kg squat, 165-kg bench press, and 217.5-kg dead lift.

Martiningsih recorded her best in the squat that broke the national record she had earlier gained in the 2019 pre-PON of 292 kg.

Meanwhile, Central Java lifter Lailatul Musyafaah finished as runner-up, with her final lifts totaling 602 kg, comprising 260-kg squat, 145-kg bench press and 197.5-kg dead lift, thereby making her worthy of a silver medal.

On the other hand, the bronze medal was secured by Riau lifter, Rini Maisuri, with final lifts totaling 580 kilograms: 260-kg squat, 140-kg bench press, and 180-kg dead lift.

Martiningsih started by squatting 275 kg and 295 kg and then decided to skip the third attempt.

However, she failed in the 175-kg bench press, so she could only record her best of 165 kg.

She secured the gold after performing optimally and succeeded in her three attempts in dead lift of 180 kg, 200 kg, and 127.5 kg.

“Fitria’s achievement today gives West Java the sixth gold in weightlifting. I am grateful that there were no obstacles at all,” West Java powerlifting coach Usdi Permana noted.

Two more gold medals are up for grabs in the powerlifting match in the men’s 120 kg and +120 kg categories that will also be competed today//ANT

The XX Papua PON health protocol task force officer hands out masks for COVID-19 prevention in Papua, Wednesday, October 13, 2021. (ANTARA/HO-BNPB/rst) - 

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has bolstered health protocols in various communities to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Papua, especially since the 20th National Games (PON) are being held in the province until October 15.

The BNPB had earlier reportedly distributed over three million masks during the Papua PON and provided mask outlets and mask cars for athletes, officials, and the community.

Head of the Health Protocol Task Force of Papua PON, Prasinta Dewi, confirmed having also supported the implementation of face-to-face learning in Mimika District's schools by providing education related to health protocols there from October 11.

The information on health protocols pertains to the right way of washing hands with soap and running water, maintaining a safe distance for students to learn, and the correct way to wear masks.

"A total of 38 thousand masks were also given to schools," Dewi noted in a written statement received on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the health protocol task force in Jayapura City also distributed masks at several places of worship, such as churches and mosques, especially on special days, such as Fridays for mosques and during Sunday services at churches.

Strengthening of health protocols and dissemination of information was also implemented at several prisons, nursing homes, and orphanages in the Jayapura District area.

For some 18 days, the BNPB had strengthened health protocols in various sectors. Dewi is optimistic that the effort would help to reduce the potential of COVID-19 cases increasing during PON.

"The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases during PON is unavoidable, but the most important aspect is how do we minimize the risk of transmission through efforts to strengthen health protocols that are being continuously implemented by the task force and all parties involved," she remarked.

According to the data compiled by BNPB from September 27 to October 12, the graph of active COVID-19 cases in the four clusters of Papua PON had tended to decline.

The number of active cases in the four clusters as of October 12, reached 89, a drop of 72 cases from the previous days. Meanwhile, at the start of PON, some 161 cases were found.

The average daily addition of positive cases reached two in the four clusters of the Papua PON//ANT

The XX Papua PON Health Protocols Task Force distributes free masks to the public as a COVID-19 prevention measure in Papua, October 13, 2021. (ANTARA/HO-BNPB/rst) - 

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) handed out more than two million masks before the 20th National Games (PON) in Papua end on October 15, with the objective of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

"According to the directive of the BNPB head, we will strengthen health protocols until PON ends," Head of the Health Protocol Task Force of Papua PON, Prasinta Dewi, noted in a written statement received here, Thursday.

Dewi, concurrently BNPB's Deputy for Prevention, remarked that two days before the Papua PON comes to a close, the agency, through the Health Care Task Force, had distributed over two million masks to strengthen the implementation of health protocols during the event.

From September 26 to October 3, a total of 2,043,289 masks were distributed by healthcare volunteers in the four clusters holding the event. This is in accordance with the target plan of the 20th PON Health Care Task Force that will distribute two million masks during the multi-sports event.

Some 558,000 masks were distributed in Jayapura City, 533,000 masks in Jayapura District, 507,289 masks in Merauke District, and 445,000 masks in Mimika District. All the masks were distributed to athletes, officials, and public.

The BNPB distributed three types of masks: cloth masks with the BNPB logo, cloth masks with the XX Papua PON logo, and KF94 medical masks.

According to Dewi, the Health Protocols Task Force will continue to operate mask outlets and mask cars at PON venues until October 15 despite having exceeded the mask distribution target.

The masks were not only distributed at the match venues but also in almost all sectors and levels of Papuan society, Dewi noted//ANT