Indonesia: Officials tighten domestic travel restrictions as of Aug. 28 /update 124

Event

Authorities have tightened domestic intercity travel restrictions as of Aug. 28. Most people aged 18 and above who wish to travel intercity must now have received a booster COVID-19 dose. Individuals with medical conditions preventing them from receiving COVID-19 vaccines are exempt from the policy but must present a doctor’s certificate when traveling. Foreign citizens who have recently arrived in Indonesia from overseas travel, as well as most passengers aged 6-17, must have obtained a second COVID-19 dose to travel intercity. Individuals aged 6-17 who have recently arrived in Indonesia from overseas travel are exempt from any vaccination requirement. The government no longer requires any intercity passengers to present pre-departure COVID-19 test results.

Domestic Measures
Level 1 curbs under the public activity restrictions system (PPKM) scheme remain in effect in Java and Bali islands through at least Aug. 29 and in all other localities through Sept. 5. PPKM tiers run from Level 1 through Level 4 in increasing order of severity. Most businesses and activities can operate at full capacity on-site under Level 1 of PPKM; officials permit only 75 percent of administrative staff in some industries, like finance and export-oriented sectors, to work on site. Local jurisdictions may implement tighter restrictions on top of the measures mandated by the central government if the rate of transmission warrants.

Other nationwide measures continue. Facemask use is mandatory in indoor venues and on public transport vehicles. Authorities allow people to enter public facilities, like eateries and shopping centers, only if they have received a booster COVID-19 dose. Officials require all domestic travelers to download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application. The enforcement of the policies varies across Indonesia.

Authorities require people who test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine at their residence for at least seven days. Individuals who obtain a negative result from a PCR test on the sixth day of the quarantine can leave their quarantine on the seventh day; people who receive a positive result from a PCR test on the sixth day or are unable to undergo a PCR test must continue quarantining until the tenth day. The policy’s enforcement level varies across Indonesia.

International Travel Restrictions
The government currently allows citizens, permanent residents, foreigners on high-level diplomatic state visits, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel cardholders, and tourists from some international locations to enter Indonesia. All permitted incoming travelers, regardless of nationality, must download the PeduliLindungi contact-tracing application before their trips.

All international arrivals are subject to health screenings. Passengers whose body temperature is above 37.5 C (99.5 F) must undergo a PCR test. People who obtain a positive result from the PCR test must quarantine at a designated facility; the duration of the quarantine varies as per medical advice. Foreign nationals who are subject to the mandatory PCR test and/or quarantine must pay for the costs.

International entrants aged 18 and above must show proof of having received their primary COVID-19 dose at least 14 days before the departure; exceptions from the vaccination requirement are possible for Indonesian citizens and travelers with medical conditions, among others. Fully vaccinated inbound passengers are exempt from mandatory quarantine upon arrival. Permitted entrants who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine at a designated facility for five days upon entry and undergo a PCR test on the fourth day of the quarantine.

Authorities allow passport holders from more than 70 international locations, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, and ASEAN countries, to obtain a visa on arrival. Passengers may enter Indonesia by air through Jakarta, Balikpapan, Banda Aceh, Banjarmasin, Batam, Denpasar, Makassar, Manado, Mataram, Medan, Padang, Palembang, Pekanbaru, Surabaya, Surakarta, Tanjungpinang, and Yogyakarta; by sea through all ports; and by land through some checkpoints in East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, and Papua provinces.

Indonesian citizens aged 18 and above must provide evidence that they have received their booster dose to travel overseas.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

State COVID-19 Portal
CareProtect application
World Health Organization (WHO)