VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Feb. 25 - All international travelers, including Indonesian nationals, entering Indonesian territory will have to compulsorily undergo five-day self-isolation at government-designated facilities from now on, a Health Ministry official said.

The guideline has been included in the COVID-19 Handling Task Force’s Circular No. 8 of 2021 on health protocols for international travelers amid the pandemic, the ministry's sub-coordinator for the territorial health quarantine and land border cross post, I Made Yosi Purbadi Wirentana, said during an online discussion held here on Wednesday.

"The obligation to follow health protocols for international travelers applies not only to foreign nationals, but also Indonesian nationals," he added.

The preventive screening of foreign and Indonesian nationals traveling to Indonesia will start from an examination in the country of origin and end with an examination at the self-isolation facility, he said.

All foreign or Indonesian nationals traveling to Indonesia will be required to secure a negative RT-PCR test certificate, issued a maximum of three days prior to departure, he informed.

Upon arrival in Indonesia, international travelers will need to undergo another RT-PCR test and a mandatory five-day centralized quarantine, he said.

International travelers categorized as Indonesian migrant workers, students, and government officers will be required to undergo a five-day quarantine at the Pandemangan House in Jakarta upon arrival.

Meanwhile, Indonesian citizens outside the category and foreign nationals will be required to quarantine at 20 recommended hotels for 20 days at their own expense.

International travelers will have to undergo another RT-PCR test after completing the five-day quarantine. If they test negative for COVID-19, then they will be allowed to proceed with their journey in the country.

If both the first and second RT-PCR tests show positive results, they will be referred to a COVID-19 hospital. The government will only bear the medical bills of Indonesian nationals, while foreign nationals would have to pay the treatment costs themselves.

Foreign nationals who hold diplomatic visas, and official visas related to official or state visits for minister-level foreign officials, and foreign nationals traveling to Indonesia under the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme will be exempt from mandatory quarantine, Wirentana informed. (Antaranews)