The Law and Human Rights Ministry has enacted a temporary ban on the entry of citizens and travelers from some countries to Indonesia citing concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

“The Directorate General of Immigration refuses entry to foreigners who have stopped or lived in South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Hong Kong within a period of 14 days,” Head of Public Relations and General Affairs at the Directorate General of Immigration of the Law and Human Rights Ministry Arya Pradhana Anggakara said in a written statement received here on Monday.

The travel ban will come into effect on November 30, 2021, he informed. The government has said that the policy will be effective from November 29, 2021, he added.

“So, if there are foreigners who have visited these countries within the past 14 days, they will immediately be refused entry to Indonesia,” he explained.

The Directorate General of Immigration has also temporarily suspended the granting of visit visas and limited stay visas for citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Hong Kong, Anggakara informed.

As for travelers from other countries, restriction rules will still apply, in accordance with the Law and Human Rights Ministerial Regulation Number 34 of 2021, he said.

The law regulates the issuance of immigration visas and residence permits during the COVID-19 handling and national economic recovery period, he added.

Further information on the new rules can be obtained on the Directorate General of Immigration’s website www.imigrasi.go.id, which is also offering assistance through the website during working days and hours.

Source: Antara News