As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, governments around the world have started to announce the lifting of quarantines and other pandemic-related restrictions. In Indonesia, the central government proclaimed that the quarantine period for vaccinated and boosted international guests will drop to just three days.
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who is the Indonesian Coordinator of Maritime and Investment Ministry, explained that the government will reduce quarantines for international guests who want to vacation in Indonesia. The quarantine reduction also applies to Indonesian citizens returning to the country from abroad.
To benefit from the quarantine reduction, guests must show proof of their booster and completion of a COVID-19 vaccination series. All visitors must also display a negative COVID-19 test before their journey to Indonesia.
Upon arrival, guests will take a PCR test on their third day of quarantine. A negative test result allows the traveler to leave quarantine and tour the country as they wish.
Luhut suggested that guests take an additional PCR test on day five in Indonesia. In the interview, he also stated that he will reduce the quarantine term for all international travelers, regardless of their vaccination status.
In defense of his statement, Luhut said the nation’s effective vaccination program deserves much of the credit. Continued improvement in the COVID-19 situation could allow the government to revoke the centralized quarantine rules by April 1.
Luhut continued, explaining that Indonesia has tried to balance the health of its citizens with that of its economy. Tourism accounts for 4.1% of Indonesia’s gross domestic product, and nearly 11% of its citizens work in the tourism industry.
The first international tourists to benefit from the change arrived in Bali from Singapore today.
Indonesia has reported an average of 32,576 COVID-19 cases per day for the past seven days. This number has dropped by 10% in one week.