An official circular on the extension of the closure has been published

On January 14, 2021, the official circular of the Indonesian COVID-19 task force was published, confirming the extension of the country's closure to foreigners from January 15 to January 25.

Earlier on January 11, the chairman of the committee on combating COVID-19 and restoring the national economy, Airlangga Hartarto, said that the government had extended the ban on foreign citizens entering Indonesia. He said that the extension will be valid for the next 14 days.

"The government tightened restrictions on public activities in the period from January 11 to January 25, but before that, the president agreed to extend the ban on foreigners entering Indonesia. The ban currently in effect from 1 to 14 has been extended for 2 weeks or another 14 days," Airlanga Hartarto said at a press conference on Monday, January 11.

The official document on the extension of the time limit in Indonesia from January 14 was published on January 14. Here is a translation of the main sections into English. 

It is worth noting that already in the official document the term of restrictions was designated from January 15 to January 25, which does not correspond to two weeks.

«E. Definition

A traveler is someone who has traveled from abroad in the last 14 days.

F. Protocol

1. International travelers must meet the following conditions:

a. The entry of foreign citizens from all countries to Indonesia is temporarily closed.

b. International travelers with the status of Indonesian citizens traveling from abroad must still comply with the health protocol established by the Government.

c. International travelers with the status of foreigners from all foreign countries who will enter Indonesia directly or transit through a foreign country are temporarily prohibited from entering Indonesia, except for holders of diplomatic and official visas related to official visits of foreign officials at the ministerial level and above, with very strict compliance with health protocols;

d. International travelers with the status of foreigners from abroad are excluded from the group:

i. Holders of diplomatic residence permits and official residence permits;

ii. Holders of a Limited stay permit (KITAS) and a permanent residence permit (KITAP); and

iii. Foreigners with special status and written permission from the ministry/institution.

e. International travelers who are citizens of Indonesia and foreigners from all foreign countries who enter Indonesia directly or transit through another country must show negative results of the RT-PCR test from the country of arrival, samples of which were taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before departure, provided during a medical examination or attached to eHAC;

f. Upon arrival, a repeat RT-PCR test is conducted for travelers who must undergo a 5-day quarantine. For Indonesian citizens, quarantine is carried out in a special quarantine room provided by the government in accordance with the Decree of the Chairman of the COVID-19 Task Force No. 6 dated 2021, for foreigners, quarantine is carried out in a self-paid quarantine room, in a hotel that has received a certificate from the Ministry of Health on the introduction of quarantine accommodation for COVID-19;

g. If the head of the foreign representative and his family arrive on assignment in Indonesia, they can carry out an independent quarantine at their place of residence for 5 days, as indicated in the letter f;

h. For other foreign diplomats, a 5-day quarantine is carried out at a location provided by the Government, as indicated in paragraph f;

i. If a repeat RT-PCR test shows a positive result upon arrival, treatment will be carried out in a hospital for Indonesian citizens at the expense of the state, and for foreigners at their own expense;

j. After 5 days of quarantine from the date of arrival,

A repeat RT-PCR examination is being conducted for Indonesian citizens and foreigners;

k. In case of a negative result specified in paragraph j, Indonesian citizens and foreigners are allowed to continue their journey;

I. In case of a positive result specified in paragraph j, treatment for Indonesian citizens is carried out at the hospital at the expense of the state, and for foreigners — for a fee;

m. The Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport Health Service helps Indonesian citizens or foreigners traveling abroad who require medical services upon arrival in Indonesia in accordance with current regulations.

n. Ministries/institutions that perform functions related to foreigners, in accordance with this Circular, issue legal documents with reference to this Circular and applicable laws and regulations.

G. Monitoring, control and evaluation

1. The Regional COVID-19 Task Force, with the assistance of the public transport authority, jointly monitors the movement of people and the safety of public transport COVID19 by creating a single security post;

2. Public transport authorities, administrators and operators supervise the operation of public transport;

3. Ministries/agencies, the army, police and local authorities have the right to stop travelers and/or prohibit people's travel based on this Circular and/or the provisions of laws and regulations;

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the assistance of the COVID-19 Task Force at Soekarno-Hatta Airport and the Airport Quarantine Office, regularly monitors compliance with the protocols of sanitary condition and self-quarantine of the diplomatic corps through telephone calls, video calls and on-site inspections during the restriction period; and

5. Authorized agencies (ministries/agencies, army, police and local authorities) monitor compliance with the COVID-19 health protocol and ensure compliance with the law in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.

H. Conclusion

This Circular Letter is valid from January 15, 2021 to January 25, 2021 and may be amended depending on the development of the situation."