Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has implemented new regulations for international travelers arriving in Indonesia from Thursday, which include a reduced quarantine requirement of five days, the government's spokesperson for COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, has said.

The government has granted permission for entry of tourists from 19 countries, he noted.

"The National COVID-19 Task Force Circular No. 20 of 2021 and the Task Force Head Decree No. 14 of 2021 regarding international travels during the COVID-19 pandemic period are valid from today," Adisasmito stated during a press conference, accessed online from Jakarta on Thursday.

The government has decided to reduce the quarantine period for international travelers from eight days to five days in view of the recent improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia, Adisasmito informed.

Under the regulation, international travelers will have to undergo two COVID-19 PCR tests: one upon arrival and another on the fourth day of quarantine to determine whether they can come out of quarantine and leave the hotel on the fifth day or not, he said.

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Adisasmito confirmed international tourists will be centered in only two locations: Bali and Riau Islands airports. Foreign tourists will be required to present a limited visit visa, health insurance covering COVID-19 positive diagnosis, and hotel reservation and payment proof to the officials upon their arrival in Indonesia, he added.

"To enhance national economic recovery, the visitor visa would be granted to tourists, commercial filmmakers, and students enrolled in Indonesian education institutions," Adisasmito informed.

The spokesperson revealed that tourists from 19 countries are now allowed to enter Indonesia: Bahrain, China, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.

"The decision to reduce the quarantine period and expand the criteria of foreigners' entry to Indonesia is to enhance the national economic recovery in line with pandemic control measures. The decision has been taken with inputs from experts and sectoral actors considered," Adisasmito said.

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Translator: Prisca TV, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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