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IN INDONESIA, the COVID-19 Emergency, the more contagious Delta variant virus, has spread to several areas in Indonesia. In addition to slowing the spread of the variant, the Indonesian government is also trying to reduce the number of daily COVID-19 infection cases by implementing Emergency restrictions on community activities (PPKM) in Java and Bali from 3-20 July 2021.
The recent spike in cases has made the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia alarming, and has received attention from a number of countries. In fact, some decided to suspend and tighten arrivals from Indonesia to their respective regions.
So, what are the countries that temporarily stop flights from Indonesia?
1. Singapore
Singapore’s Ministry of Health announced they were tightening arrivals from the archipelago. Quoting Kompas.com, Saturday (7/10), the decision was conveyed on Saturday through its official website.
In the site, it is said that the policy is effective from Monday (7/12). Singapore reduced the number of arrivals from Indonesia for non-Singaporean citizens, as well as those who are not permanent residents of Singapore.
All tourists who have a history of travel to Indonesia within the last 21 days will not be allowed to transit there. Since Monday, visiting tourists must show a negative COVID-19 test result through a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure. Travelers who land there without a valid COVID-19 negative result are not allowed to enter Singapore.
2. United Arab Emirates
Since Sunday (7/11), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended flights from Indonesia, as well as suspended the arrival of tourists who have been in Indonesia for 14 days before flying to the UAE. Last Saturday, the UAE government also banned its citizens from visiting Indonesia. However, there are exceptions to that.
Meanwhile, exceptions include diplomatic missions, emergency needs, official delegations, as well as economic and scientific delegations that have been previously permitted.
Not only that, cargo and transit flights to and from Indonesia will continue. Even if they are excluded, they must still show a negative result of a COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arriving in the UAE. They also have to quarantine for 10 days, as well as carry out PCR tests at the airport and on the fourth and then eighth day after landing there.
3. Oman
Oman has suspended flights from Indonesia since Friday (7/9) indefinitely. Besides Indonesia, citing Kompas.com, Monday, the country also stopped flights from other countries such as Singapore, Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, Libya, Argentina, Colombia, and Brunei Darussalam.
Oman also prohibits arrivals from other countries if they pass through the nine countries above for 14 days prior to their application to enter Oman. However, there are exceptions to the ban: Omani citizens, diplomats, health staff and their families.
However, they must undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Oman, undergo a seven-day quarantine, and perform a PCR test on the eighth day.
4. Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government has banned all flights from Indonesia to enter its territory since June 25, 2021 at 00.00 local time. Monday, the policy was the aftermath of the presence of several passengers from Indonesia who were positive for COVID-19.
Not only that, the Hong Kong authorities have also determined Nusantara in the category of country A1 or at high risk of COVID-19 transmission. Apart from Indonesia, there are also other countries whose flights have been suspended, namely India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines.
5. Saudi Arabia
Since February 3, the Government of Saudi Arabia has banned flights from 20 countries including Indonesia, Japan, Argentina and the United States. However, the ban does not apply to citizens of Saudi Arabia, diplomats, and health practitioners and their families.
6. Taiwan
The Taiwanese government has still imposed an entry ban for all migrant workers from Indonesia since December 2020. Meanwhile, this is because COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, continue to rise. However, the country was considering lifting its ban in March this year. Even so, until now there has been no official decision regarding the lifting of the ban on entry to Indonesia.
7. Japan
Japan has banned arrivals from 152 countries including Indonesia since April this year. Initially, the ban was only valid for 14 days. However, until now there has been no official decision from the Japanese government regarding the lifting of the ban. [sources/photo special]
