The provision was made based on the shorter incubation period of the Omicron variant, which is three days
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 Handling Task Force stated that the quarantine duration for international travelers (PPLN), especially booster vaccine recipients, was reduced to three days based on the incubation period for the Omicron variant.

"The provision was made based on the shorter incubation period of the Omicron variant, which is three days," Head of Health Handling of the COVID-19 Task Force Alexander Ginting stated in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Provisions for the latest quarantine duration are contained in Circular of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 7 of 2021 on Health Protocols for Overseas Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic that was released as of February 16, 2022.

Earlier, Government spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling Wiku Adisasmito noted that the quarantine period for overseas travelers, who had received the booster vaccine, was reduced due to the low risk of transmission and faster recovery period of the Omicron variant.

The decision was also based on the study that found the viral loads had dropped faster in vaccinated people as compared to the unvaccinated individuals.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan noted during a press conference on February 14 that the government will reduce the duration of quarantine for both foreign and Indonesian travelers entering the country, from five days to three days.

The quarantine reduction rule applied to Indonesian citizens and foreigners that have been fully vaccinated and received booster vaccines. They were required to undergo the RT-PCR swab test upon arrival and after they had completed quarantine.

If the situation continues to improve, then the Indonesian government plans to reduce the duration of quarantine to three days for all PPLNs on March 1, 2022, Pandjaitan stated.

Related news: RI issues fresh traveler guidelines of quarantine for 3x24 hours
Related news: Govt to cut quarantine for international travelers to three days
Related news: Tourism Ministry presents quarantine bubble for tourists in Bali

Translator: Devi Nindy Sari R, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022