TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Affairs Ministry was calling on all Indonesian citizens who were traveling abroad to immediately return home following the rising threat of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 contagion. This request was stated in the additional policy of the Indonesian government related to the people movement to and from Indonesia that was announced on Tuesday.

"[Travelers overseas] are expected to return to Indonesia in no time before experiencing further flight difficulties," Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said in a statement on Tuesday, March 17.

Retno said the government was continuously paying close attention to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the development of the spread of new coronavirus. Bearing in mind that more and more countries have been affected, the government instructed citizens to limit travel abroad. "Except for a very urgent agenda that cannot be postponed," Retno added.

Retno reminded that many countries had imposed travel restrictions. Thus, Indonesians who were abroad must keep updates on related information through the safe travel app or contact the embassy's hotline.

The government was also still implementing a policy prohibiting the entry or transit of migrants from China as well as Daegu City and Gyeosangbuk-do Province, South Korea. In addition, the government banned people who in the last 14 days have visited Iran, Italy, the Vatican, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Britain.

Indonesians who have visited or have a trip to those mentioned countries must undergo health screenings by the Port Health Office upon their arrival.

If during the additional test, they develop initial symptoms of COVID-19, they will be observed at a government facility for 14 days. "If there is no symptom shown, they are highly recommended to perform a self-quarantine for 14 days," Retno underlined.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI