Govt Determined Not to Let New COVID-19 Variants Enter Indonesia: Luhut

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo reminded cabinet officials to stay vigilant to the threat of COVID-19 because the risk of virus transmission remains high.

One of the risks possibly comes from abroad, especially neighboring countries. “We don't want to let new virus variants, such as Mu variant and Lambda variant, enter Indonesia,” said Luhut on Monday, September 20.

To prevent this from happening, Luhut explained the government will limit the entry of international travelers to the archipelago and tighten the quarantine process for foreign and Indonesian citizens arriving from overseas.

The gate for foreign entry via air travel is only opened in Jakarta and Manado, while via sea travel only in Batam and Tanjung Pinang and via land travel only in Aruk, Entikong, Nunukan, and Motaain of Kalimantan.

“The quarantine process is also carried out strictly without exception with a quarantine period of 8 days and 3 PCR tests. In addition, the government expands quarantine and testing capacity, especially at land entrance gates. The Indonesian Military or TNI and National Police (Polri) will also be tasked to tighten surveillance at alternative routes, both via land and sea,” said Luhut.

Read: Minister Luhut Pandjaitan Laments 41 Million Vaccine Doses Yet to be Used

DEWI NURITA