[COVID19] 9 July 2021 Foreign visitors can return home without vaccination or be vaccinated

In Indonesia, ordinances and laws change every year, and sometimes they are not very consistent with other laws. This rapid regulation change can lead to a situation where there is no way around it. The vaccination of foreign travellers was the case with the coronavirus lockdown, which started this month. Until last week, foreign visitors without a residence permit could not be vaccinated against coronavirus. Now, due to the lockdown, they would not be able to fly our from Indonesia unless they have been vaccinated. A family friend arrived in Bali from the Netherlands a few days before the lockdown, and they had not been vaccinated. So we were worried about how they would be able to get back to the Netherlands. In the meantime, the government realized the problem with foreign tourists and vaccination and gradually relaxed the restrictions. First of all, foreign visitors no longer need to be vaccinated if they are going back to their country from Jakarta. And from today, foreigners without a residence permit can also be vaccinated, and proof of vaccination is no longer required for domestic flights if the flight is a transit flight to return home.

The following is the information circulated by the Japanese Embassy. It seems to say the same thing over and over again, but there are only three main points

(1) Vaccination is available for foreigners who do not have a residence permit.

2) Vaccination is not necessary for those returning from Jakarta International Airport.

(3) Vaccination is not required for domestic flights if the flight is a transit flight to return home.

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On 9 July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia issued a circular to the local diplomatic corps on the regulation of the movement of foreigners within and outside Indonesia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia issued a circular to the local diplomatic corps on 9 July regarding the regulations on foreigners' domestic and international movement.

Children under 12 years of age accompanied by their parents do not need to present a vaccination certificate to enter the country or to travel by domestic flight to connect to an international flight.

Foreigners who do not have a temporary residence permit (KITAS)/settlement permit (KITAP) can be vaccinated in Indonesia.

It remains to be confirmed whether the vaccination certificate will be required for overland travel beyond the same metropolitan area when leaving the country.

The Government of Indonesia continues to urge people not to make unnecessary domestic or international journeys. In view of the seriousness of the H1N1 coronavirus infection situation in the country, please make every effort to ensure your safety by postponing non-urgent domestic travel as much as possible.

On 9 July, the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia received a notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia regarding the restrictions on domestic and international travel imposed by the Government's Unit for the Control of Novel Coronaviruses. On 9 July, the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia received a circular from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia addressed to the diplomatic mission in Indonesia concerning the restrictions on the movement of foreign nationals in accordance with the Government's Circular No. 14 on Domestic Movement Restrictions and Circular No. 8 on Additional Circular on Domestic and International Movement Restrictions.

According to this Circular, under certain conditions, some of the rules have been relaxed, such as when a foreigner travels by domestic flight to connect to an international flight for the purpose of leaving the country, and when a child under 12 years old enters Indonesia accompanied by their parents or travels by domestic flight, it is not necessary to present a vaccination certificate. In addition, some rules have been relaxed.

　In addition, foreign nationals who do not have a Temporary Residence Permit (KITAS)/Settlement Permit (KITAP) can still be vaccinated in Indonesia.

The contents of this Circular are as follows.

(1) Vaccination certificate is not required for foreigners leaving the country without travelling within the country.

(2) Foreigners under 12 years of age travelling with their parents are not required to present a vaccination certificate when entering Indonesia or travelling by domestic flight. (Note: It is understood that those over 12 years of age must show proof of vaccination, but the operation is still under confirmation.

(3) Foreigners who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons and travelling within Japan or abroad are not required to present a vaccination certificate. However, they must present a document such as a letter of explanation from a medical specialist to the effect that the foreigner concerned is unsuitable for vaccination.

(4) Foreigners entering Indonesia must present a vaccination certificate/card showing that they have completed the number of vaccinations required by the health authority or vaccine manufacturer's vaccination policy and that it is valid in their country of residence.

(5) Foreign crew members of an aircraft or vessel who are on duty and intend to leave Indonesia shall be exempted from presenting the vaccination certificate.

(6) Foreigners who have not been vaccinated and are travelling on a domestic flight to connect to an international flight for departure are not required to present a vaccination certificate. However, they are required to present a ticket showing that the local airport or the nearest quarantine office (KKP) has approved the domestic travel and that it is a "direct transit" flight from the local airport to the international airport for transit and departure, with the final destination abroad. The passenger must not leave the airport area during transit.

(7) Foreigners aged 60 years and above, those in the education sector, and certain other foreign nationals are eligible for vaccination under the Government-sponsored vaccine programme at medical facilities, venues provided by the central government, local government, state-owned enterprises, local public enterprises, and other venues designated by the Ministry of Health, upon presentation of their original passport and KITAS/KITAP. Vaccinations under the Government-led Vaccine Programme (Note: This is considered to mean free vaccinations).

(8) Other foreign nationals may be vaccinated under the government-led Gotong Royong Vaccine Programme at venues provided by state-owned enterprises, local public enterprises, or at other venues designated by the Ministry of Health, upon presentation of the original passport to the staff. (Note: The Embassy of Japan in Indonesia has confirmed that foreigners can also be vaccinated for a fee at the vaccination site at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The Gotong Royong Vaccine Programme has so far used Sinopharm vaccines).

(9) We call on foreigners to comply with health protocols and not to make unnecessary domestic or international movements.

4. It remains to be confirmed whether a vaccination certificate must be presented for overland travel beyond the same metropolitan area for departure from the country. Those travelling overland for the purpose of departure are advised to carry with them proof of travel for the purpose of departure (e.g. international flight tickets).

The measures taken to combat the new coronavirus in Indonesia may be subject to sudden change. Japanese nationals are advised to keep up to date with the latest relevant information.

At present, the new coronavirus infection is spreading rapidly in Indonesia, especially in the capital city of Jakarta and other parts of Java. Japanese residents in Indonesia are advised to pay attention to the latest information on the infection situation and the measures taken by the Indonesian government and make efforts to ensure the safety of themselves and their families, bearing in mind the possibility that the infection situation may worsen in the future.

The Government of Indonesia is urging people to refrain from unnecessary travel due to the seriousness of the new coronavirus infection situation in the country. Please make every effort to ensure your safety by postponing non-emergency travel as much as possible.