Angkasa Pura

Starting Tomorrow, foreigners are prohibited from entering Indonesia, the Air Task Force for handling COVID-19 makes preparations at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

Jakarta - On January 1 - 14, 2021, foreign nationals (WNA) are prohibited from entering Indonesia in accordance with Circular 04/2020 concerning the Travel Health Protocol for People in the COVID-19 Pandemic Period issued by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.

Following this, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which is Indonesia's main gateway, made a number of anticipations in order to implement this regulation.

Head of the COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU) said the regulations were enforced for foreigners from all countries.

"According to SE No. 04/2020, there will be a temporary closure of the entry of foreigners from all countries to Indonesia, be it direct flights or transit. There are exceptions, namely holders of diplomatic visas and official visas related to official visits of foreign officials at ministerial level and above, who are still allowed to enter Indonesia, "said Colonel Pas M.A Silaban.

Based on SE Number 04/2020, it is also stated that foreign tourists from abroad are exempted: holders of diplomatic residence permits and official residence permits, as well as holders of limited stay permit cards (KITAS) and permanent residence permit cards (KITAP).

"Personnel at Soekarno-Hatta Airport will ensure this, that foreigners who are exempted can enter Indonesia," said Colonel Pas M.A Silaban.

Colonel Pas M.A Silaban added that dispensation was given to be allowed to enter Indonesia for foreigners who landed at Soekarno-Hatta Airport specifically on January 1, 2021 at 00.00 WIB - 06.00 WIB.

"For foreigners who land at 00.00 WIB - 06.00 WIB on January 1, 2021 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, they are still allowed to enter Indonesia. This dispensation is related to dynamic flight operations, ”said Colonel Pas M.A Silaban.

Furthermore, Colonel Pas M.A Silaban said that if there were still foreigners who landed during the prohibition period from entering Indonesia, it was certain that the foreigners would have to fly back outside Indonesia.

"The foreigner will be asked to fly back out of Indonesia, and we will confirm this," explained Colonel Pas M.A Silaban.

Quarantine for foreigners today
The COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force also confirmed that today, December 31, 2020, a quarantine process is still being carried out for all international route passengers, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners who land at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

Coordination is carried out between various agencies in order to smooth this quarantine process.

"We continue to make updates to hotels that are quarantine locations so that they can accommodate all international plane passengers who land at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Quarantine is carried out at hotels located preferably in Jakarta and Tangerang areas.

The entire international arrival process runs smoothly, from passengers getting off the plane to exiting immigration and customs and heading for the bus to the quarantine location, ”explained Colonel Pas M.A Silaban.

The COVID-19 Airborne Task Force is also in full coordination with the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) regarding the availability of hotel rooms for quarantine.

Colonel Pas M.A Silaban emphasized that Indonesian citizens are exempted from accommodation costs for quarantine, while foreigners are required to use their own costs. The length of quarantine is 5 days.

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Executive General Manager Agus Haryadi said full support was given so that all policies related to COVID-19 prevention could be strictly implemented at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"We coordinate intensively with all parties so that all facilities and services can support the implementation of quarantine provisions for foreigners on December 28 - 31 2020, and also provisions for the temporary closure of foreigners entering Indonesia on January 1 - 14, 2021," said Agus Haryadi.

Furthermore, Agus Haryadi said flight operations at Soekarno-Hatta Airport were confirmed to run smoothly.