Indonesia increases restrictions as pre-emptive measure against Omicron Covid-19 variant

20 December 2021

The Indonesian Covid-19 task force on 9 December 2021 announced that no cases of the Covid-19 variant termed “Omicron” have as yet been detected in the country as the government continues to strengthen monitoring of travellers.

In a pre-emptive move to limit the spread of the variant, the Indonesia authorities announced on 29 November 2021 changes to its arrival rules. With immediate effect, visa issuance and arrivals of foreign nationals from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong have been suspended. Indonesian nationals arriving in Indonesia from these countries must serve a mandatory quarantine of 14 days. A polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) test for new arrivals will be conducted on arrival and on day 13 of quarantine.

Indonesian nationals and foreign nationals coming to Indonesia from countries not listed above will serve a mandatory quarantine of 10 days, with a PCR test conducted on arrival and on the ninth day of quarantine.

Indonesia has also issued a ban on civil servants and workers in State-owned and private companies taking leave during the year end Christmas/New Year period, in an attempt to avoid a Covid-19 flare-up. It is estimated that this restriction will affect approximately 4.2 million civil servants and two million workers in State-owned companies, and many more in private firms.

Additionally, Indonesia will require all domestic travellers (including those traveling by automobiles) to provide proof of full vaccination and negative antigen test result from sample taken within 24 hours of departure. Unvaccinated adults will not be allowed to travel under the new protocol. The Indonesian Government will also ban all New-Year celebrations held in public places. Shopping centres, restaurants, cinemas, and tourist attractions will be allowed to operate at 75% capacity.