TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government will officially ban international visitors from entering Indonesia on January 1, 2021, which will last until January 14, 2021. The foreign nationals will be given time dispensation until 06:00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Friday. This comes after new Covid-19 strains were discovered in Europe.

"International visitors that have landed between 00:00-06:00 WIB on January 1, 2021, at Soekarno-Hatta Airport would still be permitted entry. This time dispensation is related to the dynamic flight operations," wrote Covid-19 task force Col. Pas MA Silaban on December 31.

According to Silaban, the ban applies to all international visitors from countries all over the world. However, he said there will be exceptions for diplomatic visa holders and work visas for state-officials at the state-minister levels.

As reported on December 29, the Covid-19 task force announced that the government officially restricts the entry of foreign citizens into Indonesia. It also subjects Indonesians coming home from overseas to stringent monitoring.

The move comes as an anticipative measure against the spread of a new Covid-19 variant identified as the B117 from entering the country. The policy is effective from December 28, 2020, up to January 14, 2021.

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FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA