ER
PRESIDENT Joko Widodo (Jokowi) decided to temporarily stop all visits and transit of Foreign Citizens (foreigners) to Indonesian territory to prevent wider transmission of a new type of corona virus or COVID-19.
“I have decided that the existing policies need to be strengthened. So I repeat the existing policies need to be strengthened. And it has been decided that all visits and transit of foreigners to Indonesia will be temporarily stopped,” President Jokowi said in a press conference via video conference , a limited meeting of the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Tuesday (31/3).
However, the government provides exceptions for foreigners who want to enter or transit to the territory of the Republic of Indonesia if they have a Limited Stay Permit Card (KITAS), Permanent Stay Permit Card (KITAP), holders of diplomatic residence permits and official residence permits. The foreigners with these exceptions can enter the territory of the Republic of Indonesia but still follow the applicable health protocol.
“This new policy will be set forth in the new Permenkumham (Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation). In opening a limited meeting, I explained that the Indonesian government continues to observe the development of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world,” the President said.
At present, Jokowi said, the mobility of residents between countries must be a concern to break the chain of COVID-19 import cases, in addition to transmission transmission from within the country. Moreover, based on the latest developments, the COVID-19 epicenter has now moved from China to the United States and Europe.
President Jokowi observed the development of COVID-19 cases in several countries that were previously able to control the rate of transmission of the virus that attacks this respiratory tract. China, South Korea and Singapore are some countries that were previously able to control the level of transmission of COVID-19, but now these three countries face the potential challenges of a new wave of COVID-19.
“Some countries that have been able to flatten the spread curve of COVID-19 also face new challenges with the so-called new wave of COVID-19. China, South Korea and Singapore are facing many imported cases,” Jokowi finished. [antaranews/photo special]
