Indonesia is set to expand its travel restrictions as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to spike domestically, with one notable new policy being the suspension of all visa waiver programs.
As outlined by the Foreign Affairs Ministry today, waivers for short-stay visits, visa-on-arrival, and diplomatic/service visa-free facilities for all nationalities will be suspended for one month, effective from Friday, March 20, 2020.
Travelers intending to visit Indonesia during this period must present a health certificate from their respective national health authority upon applying for a visa.
Indonesia’s restrictions on travelers coming from China and South Korea still apply, while travelers who have been in Iran, Italy, Vatican City, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom within 14 days of travel to Indonesia will be refused entry.
In addition, the government is urging Indonesians to refrain from all non-essential travel abroad for the time being, and for those who are already abroad to return home before possible further flight disruptions make it difficult to do so.
You can refer to the Foreign Ministry’s official website for the full updated travel policy (in Indonesian, though an English version is expected to follow soon).
Separately, Achmad Yurianto, Indonesia’s spokesman for COVID-19-related matters, this afternoon announced that 38 people have tested positive for the viral disease, bringing the total number of cases to 172. No new recoveries or deaths were announced by the spokesman, leaving the official tally of recovered patients at eight and deceased at five.
