Angkasa Pura

Regulations for closing foreigners to Indonesia apply today, implementation at Soekarno-Hatta airport is smooth

Jakarta - Starting today, the entry of foreigners from all countries to Indonesia will be closed in accordance with Circular Number 04/2020 from the Task Force for Handling COVID-19.

Foreigners who are exempted from the closure are holders of diplomatic visas and service visas related to official visits of foreign officials at ministerial level and above; the holder of a diplomatic residence permit and an official residence permit; KITAS and KITAP holders.

At Soekarno-Hatta Airport, the implementation of this regulation is running smoothly.
 
Chairperson of the COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU) said airport stakeholders already understand and know the policies as stated in SE 04/2020.

"On the first day, the implementation of the regulations went well at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force will continue to oversee the implementation of SE 04/2020. So far we see that airport stakeholders have understood this regulation, "said Colonel Pas M.A Silaban.

Furthermore, Colonel Pas M.A Silaban said that if a foreigner lands at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport during the closing period, the person concerned must fly back to the country of origin of departure.

"We ask for understanding for foreigners who are not included in the exemption and land during the closing period, so they must fly back to the country of origin of departure," said Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU).

Head of Class I KKP Ministry of Health - Soekarno-Hatta, dr. Darmawali Handoko said that this policy was part of efforts to prevent COVID-19 variant B117.

"According to SE 04/2020, SARS-CoV-2 variant B117 has been found so that special provisions are needed for foreign travelers to protect Indonesian citizens from imported cases," said dr. Darmawali Handoro.

Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Class I Immigration Office, Romi Yudianto, confirmed that starting today, foreigners who are allowed to enter Indonesia are those who are exempted from closing as stated in SE 04/2020.

"Foreigners can enter Indonesia if they meet the exclusion criteria. If not, then they are not allowed to enter, "said Romi Yudianto.

As of this afternoon, there were 13 foreigners who had KITAS so that they were allowed to enter Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

Implementation of Quarantine
Prior to this closure, foreigners arriving at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on December 28 - 31, 2020 are required to undergo a 5-day quarantine at a location determined by the government.

The current quarantine provisions are also still in effect until January 14, 2021 for Indonesian citizens returning to Indonesia, and for foreigners who are included in the exemption from entering Indonesia.

Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU) said that the implementation of the quarantine since December 28 has been running smoothly thanks to the support of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), which is setting up a quarantine hotel.

Until January 14, he continued, the availability of hotel rooms for quarantine will also be sufficient.

"Intensive coordination is carried out with PHRI regarding quarantine hotels for 1,500-2,000 international route passengers who arrive at Soekarno-Hatta Airport every day on December 28 - 31. Thanks to PHRI's support, the availability of quarantine hotel rooms can be ensured to accommodate all passengers on international routes. "

"Especially today, the number of passengers on international routes arriving is around 1,700 people and it is certain that the quarantine hotel is ready," explained Pas M.A Silaban.

Chairman of the Indonesia National Air Carriers Association (INACA) Denon Prawiraatmadja said national airlines support government policies to prevent imported cases of COVID-19.

"National airlines serving international routes coordinate regarding quarantine for Indonesian citizens arriving in Indonesia so that the arrival process at the airport to the quarantine location can run well," said Denon Prawiraatmadja.

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Executive General Manager Agus Haryadi said all airport resources are ready to be used to support government policies in preventing COVID-19.

"All Soekarno-Hatta Airport resources, both facilities and personnel are ready to be used to support the policy of closing the entry of foreigners on January 1 - 14, 2021, and also quarantine for Indonesian citizens arriving until January 14, 2021."

"We make sure Soekarno-Hatta Airport continues to operate 24 hours every day to support various flights, including for example repatriation flights that bring Indonesian citizens back to Indonesia. The service aspect is still prioritized in welcoming the return of Indonesian citizens to delivery to hotels in the quarantine location, "said Agus Haryadi.