TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia closed its doors for foreigners arriving from the United Kingdom via air travel, either by direct or transit flights, following the detection of a new variant of coronavirus that causes Covid-19 in South Wales, UK.

Transportation Ministry spokesperson Adita Irawati explained that the provision was noted in Circular No. 24/2020 on the control of public travel by air during Christmas and New Year holidays amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This circular aims to anticipate cases of new virus strain in South Wales and is due to a hike in cases in Europe and Australia, so additional policies for foreign travelers are necessary to protect Indonesian citizens from imported cases,” said Adita in a statement on Monday, Dec. 28.

However, she added, Indonesian nationals traveling from the UK will be allowed to enter but are required to present proof of a negative coronavirus test or RT-PCR test from the country of origin 48 hours before departing to Indonesia and fill out an electronic health alert card (e-HAC) in a health check.

The policy also applies to Indonesians and foreigners traveling from Europe and Australia via air either by transit or direct flights. Adita added that the regulation takes effect beginning December 23, 2020, until January 8, 2021.

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