The Indonesian government has banned imports of live animals originating from China or those ever in the country
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has imposed a temporary ban on at least 53 species of live animals from China to avoid the coronavirus outbreak which first infected Wuhan city in Hubei province.

"The Indonesian government has banned imports of live animals originating from China or those ever in the country," Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto said in a statement received in Jakarta, Thursday.

The ban, which has been in effect since February 7, will be imposed on 53 animals, including horse, pig, duck, rooster, goat, cattle, and other mammals.

The import ban, according to the trade minister's Decree No. 10, Year 2020, also applied to animals used in the circus, theater, and other entertainment shows.

As per the policy, importers must return the animals to their home country once they arrive in Indonesia's ports, or the authority would exterminate the animals.

"The costs of exterminating the animals and the fee of returning them would have to be borne by the importers," Suparmanto remarked.

The importers will have 10 days either to exterminate the animals or sent them back to China, he added. If there was no action taken, there would be a penalty imposed on the importers in accordance with the law. (INE)

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Reporter: Ade Irma J/Genta Tenri Mawangi
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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