We highlight the main points relevant for foreigners in the latest regulation to help you making the necessary preparations prior to leaving for Indonesia.
As follow-up to the Circular of the Minister of Health Number HK.02.01/MENKES/332/2020 on the Health Protocol for Handling Returning Indonesian Citizens and Foreign citizens Arrival from Foreign Countries at State and Regional Entrances during nPSBB (“Circular 332/2020”), the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Health, issued additional health protocols via Circular of the Minister of Health Number HK.02.01/MENKES/338/2020 on the Health Protocol for Handling Returning Indonesian Citizens and Foreign citizens Arrivals from Foreign Countries at Soekarno-Hatta Airport and Juanda Airport (“Circular 338/2020”), which came into force on May 22, 2020.
In connection with the issuance of Circular 338/2020, on May 26, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued Circular Note No. D/01130/05/2020/64 (“Circular MoFA 01130/2020”) regarding the decision of the meeting of the Indonesia National Task Force for COVID-19 Handling Acceleration.
Under Circular 338/2020, the additional health protocols concerning foreign citizens arrival are as follows:
Exception Provisions for Foreign Citizens
The exception for foreign citizens, who are permitted to enter Indonesia, still refers to Article 3 paragraph (1) of Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Number 11 of 2020 on Temporary Ban on Foreigners from Entering the Territory of the Republic of Indonesia (“Permenkumham 11/2020”).
Foreign Citizens who carry a Health Certificate
For foreigners carrying health certificates with negative COVID-19 PCR results, the following protocol shall be implemented:
- Additional health checks shall be performed upon the individual(s), except for Rapid Test or PCR, by the Port Health Authority (KKP).
- If the individual is found with no diseases and/or health risk factors during the health checks, the Port Health Authority (KKP) shall issue a health clearance and Health Alert Card (HAC) for the individual.
- The individual shall be allowed to continue his/her journey to the respective destination by bringing a travel permit from the local COVID-19 Handling Task Force, and is required to always wear a health mask during the trip.
- The individual shall be required to perform self-quarantine in his/her respective residences for 14 days, exercise physical distancing, wear health masks, and implement a Clean and Healthy Behavior (“PHBS”).
- The individual’s health clearance shall be submitted to the respective representative of his/her country to be forwarded to the District Health Department in order for the District Health Department to monitor the self-quarantine period performed by the individual.
- If the individual(s) do not have any country representatives in Indonesia, or if there are no country representatives present at their destination, the individual(s) shall report to the local Port Health Authority (KKP) at their destination, so that the local Port Health Authority (KKP) may inform the District Health Department to monitor the self-quarantine period performed by the individual(s).
Foreign Citizens who do not carry a Health Certificate
For foreign citizens without any health certificate, or carrying a health certificates with a validity period of more than 7 days or health certificates which do not prove negative PCR examination results, the following protocol shall be implemented:
- Additional health checks shall still be performed upon the individual including Rapid Test by the Port Health Authority (KKP).
- If the individual shows reactive Rapid Test results, individuals who have comorbidities or symptoms of fever and/or one of the respiratory infection symptoms shall be referred to the local emergency hospital or referral hospital by implementing protocol for infectious diseases.
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If the individual shows non-reactive Rapid Test results, quarantine and PCR test shall be performed upon the individual at the places determined by the COVID-19 Task Force until the PCR test result emerges. Fees incurred shall be borne by the individual.
Quarantine Place
It should be noted that quarantine fees will be borne by the individual or respective institutions acting as sponsor for the individual. The places for quarantine as referred to in letter C in the section of Foreign citizens who do not carry a Health Certificate are as follows:
- Hotel JS Luwansa
Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said No.Kav. C-22, RT.2/RW.5
Karet Kuningan, Kecamatan Setiabudi, Kota Jakarta Selatan Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12940 - Hotel Borobudur (only 30 rooms available)
Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan
Pasar Baru, Kecamatan Sawah Besar, Kota Jakarta Pusat Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10710
Further, Circular MoFA 01130/2020 encompasses the following matters:
Provisions for Self-Quarantine
Foreign citizens including members of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps, who shall enter Indonesia, are advised to bring a Health Certificate stating a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in order to be allowed to perform self-quarantine at their respective residences.
Place for the PCR Test
Foreign citizens who do not bring Health Certificate stating a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, shall accordingly be required to take the PCR testing at Wisma Pademangan Quarantine Facility, and shall wait at the appointed hotel until the PCR test results are determined according to the Indonesian prevailing health protocol.
Foreign citizens including members of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps, who are required to wait for the test results, are allowed to choose from the list of hotels appointed by the National Task Force for COVID-19 Handling Acceleration, as enlisted above, to contact the aforementioned hotel of their choice. The ministry will update the list of hotels at the earliest opportunity.
Transportation from Airport to the PCR Test Place
Foreign citizens, who do not bring a Health Certificate stating a negative COVID-19 PCR test result and have been directed to take the PCR test at Wisma Pademangan Quarantine Facility, shall be required to take the transportation provided by the National Task Force at the airport while accompanied by officials. Exceptions for transportation arrangement shall only be made for groups that arrived in Indonesia in large numbers and with a person in charge of the group accompanying them (e.g. arrival and test for cruise ship crews).
Travel Permit and Health Clearance
At present, the National Task Force is providing the travel permit and health clearance from Wisma Pademangan Quarantine Facility, which in the near future shall be further arranged and provided at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The health clearance shall be submitted by the foreign citizens to their respective foreign missions, and to be forwarded by the foreign mission to the District Health Authority where the foreign citizens will be staying in Indonesia.
Provisions for Short Visit
Foreign citizens staying for a short visit (1-2 days), for instance, businessman/businesswomen holding KITAS/KITAP, and who do not bring PCR negative COVID-19 health certificate, shall be given an alternative solution to take the PCR test at the Siloam Hospitals in Jakarta at their own expenses. The test result shall be able to be determined within 12 hours, allowing them to perform self- quarantine. This arrangement shall be carried out by coordinating directly with the Task Force at the airport during the health check performed upon arrival of the foreign citizens.
Violation Provisions
Foreign citizens who do not comply with the health check and quarantine protocol in Indonesia shall be seen as violating the Health Protocol of the Republic of Indonesia in accordance with Indonesian Law No. 6 Year 2018 regarding Health Quarantine. Holders of ordinary passports who violate this law can be deported.