Indonesia’s Stricter Covid Restrictions during Year-End Holidays Scrapped

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – In just three weeks apart the Indonesian government has changed its decision on the implementation of alert level 3, the moderate alert in the four-tiered Covid-19 restrictions on public activities, throughout the country.

Initially, the government said that it would reimpose stricter Covid-19 measures in the country from December 24, 2021, to January 2, 2022, to halt coronavirus resurgence during the holiday season. However, the implementation of the Covid-19 measures, locally known by its Indonesian acronym PPKM, will now follow the development of the current situation by still placing some restrictions.

The changes came after 76 percent of the target population in Java and Bali had been vaccinated with one dose while nearly 56 percent had been fully vaccinated, according to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Monday, December 6.

Luhut, who is also the PPKM coordinator in Java-Bali, said that the Covid-19 jabs for the elderly would continue. Currently, 64 percent of the elderly have received the first dose of the vaccine, while 42 percent have been fully vaccinated in Java and Bali areas.

Rules on travel and events

“Travel rules will continue to be tightened, especially at the border. However, testing and tracing activities will be intensified during Christmas and New Year holidays,” Luhut said in a statement.

Also read: Indonesia Extends Covid-19 Restrictions outside Java, Bali until Dec. 23

He said the government has tightened border curbs, all international arrivals must provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test result taken 48 hours before departure, has extended quarantine to 10 days upon arrival in Indonesia.

During Christmas and New Year holidays, those who intend to travel in the country must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of negative antigen test results 24 hours before their departure.

Adults who have not been fully vaccinated or are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons are not allowed to go on a long-distance trip. However, children are allowed to travel but must take a PCR test valid for three days when traveling by air and take an antigen test valid for one day when traveling by land or sea.

The government will also ban all celebrations in conjunction with the New Year held in public places such as hotels, shopping centers, malls, tourist attractions, and other public places.
Meanwhile, shopping centers, restaurants, cinemas, and tourist attractions are allowed to operate at 75 percent capacity and are required to use the Covid-19 contact tracing app PeduliLindungi.

“Any social and cultural events must limit the attendance to 50 people and use the Covid-19 contact tracing app PeduliLindungi.”

Also read: Covid-19 Antiviral Pill Plant to be Developed in Indonesia, Senior Minister Says

Luhut called on the public to remain vigilant over the Omicron Covid-19 variant as it had been detected in some countries.

Furthermore, he said, the handling of the pandemic in Indonesia showed significant improvements. The daily number of confirmed cases stood below 400 cases. Based on data issued on December 4, only 12 regencies/cities or 9.4 percent of the total areas in Java and Bali are in level 3 of PPKM.