We’ve known for a while that Indonesia is returning to relatively strict Level 3 PPKM mobility restrictions during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Since the announcement was made, however, slight adjustments to the rules have been made to adapt to specific needs and conditions expected during the break.
Last week, the government announced that all of Indonesia will be under the third level of the four-tiered Enforcement of Restrictions on Public Activities (PPKM) protocol from Dec. 24, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022. Old Level 3 PPKM rules will apply, except for and in addition to changes to the following main items:
Travel
- The government is urging people not to travel during this period
- Those who must travel domestically must present a negative antigen test result if fully vaccinated, which is valid for one day, while partially-vaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test result, which is valid for three days
- Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to undergo self-quarantine or isolate at government-run facilities
- Authorities to tighten border control and apply stringent screening measures for arrivals into the country
- Police and military personnel will step up control at transportation hubs, ports, stations, and highways.
Christmas worship
- Churches must form their own COVID-19 task force groups and be in constant coordination with their respective region’s COVID-19 task force
- Church capacity is limited to 50 percent for mass
- Churches are encouraged to adopt a hybrid approach to mass, in which at least half of the congregation can go online to worship from home
Malls
- Shopping centers may open to 50 percent capacity from 9am to 10pm
- Christmas and New Year celebrations inside malls are prohibited
- Cinemas located inside malls may open to 50 percent capacity
- Dining in mall F&B establishments limited to 50 percent capacity
Tourism hotspots
- Authorities to heighten overall alert level in popular tourist destinations such as Bali, Bandung, Bogor, and Yogyakarta
- The odd-even traffic rule will be enforced on roads surrounding and leading to tourist hotspots
- Tourist sites will be limited to 50 percent capacity
- No celebrations or parties of any kind at tourist sites
Leave
- Civil servants, state-owned enterprise employees, military and police personnel are prohibited from taking leave from work during the period
- Other employees are encouraged to take leave after the period
Education
- Schools are prohibited from issuing additional days off to students on top of the government-mandated holidays on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Specifically for Jakarta, the provincial government is mulling the reintroduction of the Entry and Exit Permit (SIKM) to limit movement into and out of the capital during the period. The provincial government is also considering expanding the odd-even traffic rule to limit movement within the capital.
