The Indonesian government has extended the quarantine for international arrivals to 7 days to prevent transmission of new Omicron Covid-19 variant.
The Central government through the Coordinator of Maritime and Investment Minister, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has revised the entry requirement policy by extending the quarantine time for international travelers to seven days. This extended quarantine was added as a prevention measure to stop the spread of the new Covid-19 variant called Omicron. According to early research, the new variant recently found in South Africa and now around the world could be more transmissible and evade vaccines.
From the previously implemented 3 day quarantine, Luhut extended the quarantine time to 7 days for both international travelers and Indonesian citizens who have recently traveled from other countries outside Indonesia. Travelers who have recently traveled from 11 countries with high risk of Omicron variant transmission such as Hong Kong, South Africa, Malawi, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho are now required to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon arrival.
The Head of Badung Hotel and Restaurant Association, IGN Rai Suryawijaya stated that this policy was a perfect step to anticipate the third wave of Covid-19 transmission in Bali. “We can totally understand as this new Covid-19 variant has become a third wave of Covid-19 transmission in several European countries and Israel.” Suryawijaya said on Monday (29/11).
However, he said the new policy will further affect the Bali tourism sector. Bali is also facing a partial lockdown for the holidays plus tourism businesses will already be under more strict measures and operate with more restrictions.
“I must admit that this will impact our tourism industry as people become more reluctant to travel, but we still may have a few domestic tourists that come in December.” Suryawijaya concluded.
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Wayan Bo
Thursday 2nd of December 2021
The list of countries is by far to short. For example the Europe is suffering under 4th wave.
Frank davie
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
I just paid for my Indonesian visa at a high price, just as well I didn’t pay the Qaurintine hotel as well I would not have got the money back either. It’s off to Thailand for me and countless others over the Christmas period. I’m sorry for the Balinese people .
Randy
Friday 3rd of December 2021
@Wayan Bo, spot on
Wayan Bo
Thursday 2nd of December 2021
@Frank davie, If you are really sorry for Balinese people than stay home and send a check to Balinese humanitarian organization.
Frank M
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
COVID has been a great disease for the rich and a disaster for the poor and middle class. This new variant is no threat. And Thailand is going to dominate SE Asian tourism for 10 years, because they aren't allowing fiction to affect their decisions and for everyone other than Auzzies and New Zealanders it's a 4 hour shorter flight - no quarantine against a headache that I dare say most will miss as they'll have a bigger headache from the 26 ounce flu haha!
Randy
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
Each country around the world has added new travel restrictions from 8 African nations and those who have traveled there in the last 14 days due to this new variant mutation. They including Indonesia are only doing this to protect their own respective citizens.
The countries around the world will keep the new restrictions until Omicron has been studied. If those are not happy with the new restrictions then run along.
If unvaccinated people are still reluctant to get a jab, the virus will keep mutating. WHO has warned about vaccines hoarding in Europe. Uneven distribution of vaccines in Southern African countries and other poorer countries where vaccines are lacking may have led to some serious viral mutation.
James T.
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
It is a pity that Nonsense like that is just repeated and published without any comment from the editor. Somebody has to explain how a 7 day quarantine for visitors who can only enter Indonesia being fully vaccinated and showing a negative PCR test result. Followed by another PCR test at the airport before being allowed to continue in a 7 day quarantine at a Jakarta hotel on their own expense. Really?! Is it too much to ask to be reasonable? And frowm all what we know now, nothing is certain about the new COVID19 variant. Shame on all those YEA sayers!
Wayan Bo
Thursday 2nd of December 2021
@James T., it’s not even known now if and how much vaccine will work against new mutation.