International Tourism Reopens Under Strict Health Screening: Task Force

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Covid-19 task force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito on Tuesday said the government will reopen international arrivals with extreme caution and conduct simulations for the tourism sector in the days ahead of the official date on October 14.

“This is to prevent broader spread [of covid] dueto international mobility and it is also an effort to recover the economy,” said the task force spokesperson on October 12.

The extreme caution he refers to includes subjecting international visitors to strict background screening, a 5-day required quarantine process, and various strict administrative health requirements. 

“The requirements to ensure the people entering are truly healthy among many are full-dose vaccinations, owning a health insurance, and proof of booking a quarantine accommodation,” he said.

The government will allow the arrival of visitors from 18 countries that the government deems adheres to the assessment guideline by the World Health Organization (WHO), mainly countries that are categorized by the global organization as Level 1 and 2 countries.

Level 1 countries are those considered low risk for Covid-19 with confirmed cases less than 20 for every 100,000 population and positivity rate below 5 percent. Meanwhile, Level 2 countries or moderate risk are countries logging 20-50 confirmed cases for every 100,000 population and has a positivity rate below 5 percent. 

Read: Sandiaga Uno: Foreign Tourists Violating Health Protocols May Be Deported

EGI ADYATAMA