All International Passengers Required  for Five-Day Quarantine

Jakarta, InfoPublik—The Air Force Task Force for the Acceleration of Covid-19 handling  at the Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Tangerang which consists of joint elements, including state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II, the Indonesian National Armed forces (TNI)/the Indonesian Police (Polri), the Helath Ministry’s Port Health Office, Airport Authority, Immigration and Customs and Excise, is committed to comply with the health protocols issued by the Covid-19 Handling Task Force.

One of the health protocols listed in Addendum to Circular Number 03 of 2020, bans foreign travellers entering Indonesia from the UK, either directly or transiting from other countries. This provision also applies for Indonesian citizen traveling from the UK.

Meanwhile, foreign and Indonesian citizens entering Indonesia from Europe and Australia, either directly or transiting from other countries, are required to show negative results of RT-PCR test in the country of origin from a maximum of 2x24 hours before departure.

The addendum also states that RT-PCR re-examination must also be carried out upon arrival, and requires a five-day quarantine  for both Indonesian and foreign citizens if showing negative result.

On 28 December, the Covid-19 Handling Task Force issued Circular Number 4 of 2020 on Travel Health Protocol for People During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Based on the circular, foreign citizens as referred to in the Addendum to circular number 03 of 2020 mean all foreign citizens who arrived on 28 – 31 December 2020. As for 1 – 14 January 2021, all foreigners are not allowed to enter Indonesia.

In accordance with the circular issued by the Covid-19 Handling Task Force, international route passengers, both Indonesian and foreign citizens arriving in Indonesia starting from 28 December 2020 are required for a five-day quarantine.

For Indonesian citizens, the quarantine is carried out in a special quarantine accommodation provided by the government. Meanwhile, foreigners are required to carry out quarantine at quarantine accommodations (hotels/inns) holding certification from Health Ministry, at their own expense.  PCR tests must be taken by all people under quarantine upon their arrival and on the fifth day of quarantine.

Head of the Air Force Task Force for the Acceleration of Covid-19 handling   Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU) stated all airport stakeholders have done elaborate preparation preparations at Soekarno-Hatta Airport which is currently the main entry point for international flights in Indonesia. The Covid-19 taskforce has prepared quarantine procedure starting from arrival at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. After international passengers  complete the arrival procedures of health document checking, immigration, and baggage collection, we prepare to deliver these passengers to the quarantine centers.

Passenger overcrowding spotted in international arrival of Terminal 3 was, according to Saban, caused by the procedure in ensuring the readiness of quarantine accommodations for the international route passengers which halt them from immediately leaving the arrival hall on the evening of 28 December.

"We must ensure that the quarantine  accommodations are ready before allowing the passengers to be escorted out of Terminal 3 by bus to the quarantine accommodation. The process to this quarantine location causes congestion at the terminal 3 International arrival hall as seen from photos circulating on social media, because there are a number of aircrafts landing on the same time," explained Silaban.

Head of Soekarno-Hatta Class I Port Health Office dr. Darmawali Handoko said there were around 200 international passengers waiting at the arrival hall of Terminal 3 to undergo the quarantine process. "There were around 200 people last night, but the point is all of them have been channelled to the hotels," he explained.

Meanwhile, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Executive General Manager Agus Haryadi said that his party always support the Airforce Task force for the Covid-19 Handling  in meeting the applicable health protocols.

"The entire airport procedure has been smooth, starting from the plane landing process, baggage handling by ground handling, to eHAC and health, immigration, and Customs documents checking. We will also support the entire arrival process for international aircraft passengers in accordance with health protocol," said Agus Haryadi.

(Reporter: Dian Thenniarti, Translator: Penni P. Rusman)