Govt Urged to Impose Travel Ban for Foreigners during Emergency Measures in Indonesia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s deputy chairman of House Commission V overseeing transportation, Syarief Alkadrie, urged the government to bar the entry of foreign nationals during the emergency Covid-19 measures, which runs from July 3-20.

“We suggested [the government] to impose temporary entry ban for foreign citizens during the emergency Covid-19 measures in an effort to curb the spread of the imported variants,” said Syarief on Thursday, July 8.

He also responded to the recent statement made by the Ministry of Communication and Information that the World Health Organization (WHO) had never instructed countries to impose a Covid-related travel ban.

Also read: Indonesia to Lift Travel Ban for Foreigners amid Partial Lockdown

“I’m not sure, but maybe the government has other considerations. During the emergency measures, the borders should be closed temporarily to make it more effective,” he said.
"The number of cases continues to climb. We should impose a tougher policy to curb the spread of the virus faster,” he added.

The entry ban during the emergency measures should also be applied to foreign workers. Unless they are the holders of diplomatic or official visas due to the importance of the visit.
He realized that the country’s economy would be disrupted if international travel was closed completely. However, the policy needs to be implemented to avoid longer-term economic disruption.

Also read: Indonesia Clarifies Foreign Workers Arrivals amid Covid Fallout

Previously, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Communication and Information Dedy Permadi said that the WHO had never instructed countries to ban international travel amid the Covid-19. The statement was made in response to the call for the government to temporarily stop international travelers from entering the country.

The government has tightened the requirements for foreign visitors and Indonesian citizens entering the country. All international travelers are required to show a complete dose of the Covid-19 vaccine certificate both physical and digital, undergo swab tests for Covid-19, and quarantine upon arrival in Indonesia.

(Writer: Nicholas Ryan Aditya | Editor: Kristian Erdianto)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/07/08/12365191/pemerintah-diminta-tutup-perjalanan-internasional-saat-ppkm-darurat-pimpinan?page=3.