"I see (the entry restriction regulation) as a good step because international arrivals are (behind) the entry of new variants (of the coronavirus)," he said here on Thursday.
The new regulation is better because it does not restrict only foreign workers' arrival, but also regulates restrictions for all overseas foreigners visiting Indonesia, he added.
Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, on July 19, 2021 enacted the Law and Human Rights Ministry Regulation No. 27/2021 on restrictions on foreigners' entry into Indonesia amid the emergency community restrictions enforcement.
The regulation restricts entry of most foreigners, except those mentioned in the entry exception clause in Paragraph 3, Article 2 of the regulation, Lie said.
According to the regulation, only foreigners holding diplomatic and official visas, diplomatic and official stay permits, and temporary and permanent stay permits will be allowed entry into Indonesia.
Foreigners attached with healthcare and humanitarian missions and transport crew of vessels will be allowed entry as well under the regulation.
Related news: Only vaccinated foreigners can enter Indonesia starting July 6, 2021
The ministry's regulation is comprehensive because it regulates all modes of land, sea, and air transport, Lie observed. Immigration officers nationwide could use the regulation as the basis for restricting foreign arrivals, he added.
Though the regulation was enforced on Wednesday (July 21, 2021), just two days after its enactment by Minister Yasonna, the time span is still reasonable, Lie said.
However, the period between the enactment and the enforcement of the regulation could prove too tight to allow travelers to adjust their arrival, he pointed out.
Furthermore, it will be impossible to complete all formalities, including PCR tests and settled visa application procedures, required for entry into Indonesia in just two days, he added.
Lie said he hopes that the new regulation will be consistently enforced and prove effective in preventing new variants of the coronavirus from entering Indonesia.
"I hope the restriction of international access of all air, sea, and land transportation modes could control and tackle the entry of new variants of the virus," he remarked.
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Translator: M Jasuma F, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
