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Column<From Overseas Office> [Indonesia] Report on the travel to Indonesia in Covid-19 pandemic, from preparation to leave Japan- Quarantine life- and now.
Introduction
Two years have passed since the first case of the new coronavirus was identified in the world. For some it’s been a long time, for others it’s been a blink of an eye. I myself had to work remotely from Japan for about a year after my assignment in Indonesia was postponed. It was a hectic year for me as I had to go back to Japan for vaccination immediately after I started my assignment in Indonesia.
Since the beginning of October I have heard news of a decrease in the number of infected people in Japan and some countries in South East Asia. It was a relief to see that countries were easing their entry requirements for people from outside the country, but the discovery of Omicron variant at the end of November means that restrictions are being tightened again.
In this issue, I would like to share with you my experience of travelling to Indonesia (Jakarta) from Japan, where I had returned temporarily for vaccinations in early October, and the current situation in Jakarta.
Preparing for departure
The following are the conditions and documents required for departure from Japan to Indonesia. (As of the end of November 2021)
In my case, I entered Indonesia with a temporary residence permit (ITAS).
– ITAS/ITAP (Limited/Permanent Stay Permit Card) holders
– Holders of diplomatic and official residence permits
– Visits on diplomatic or official visas
– Visit visa
– Temporary visitor visa
– Foreigners with APEC business travel cards and traditional border crossers
＜Required documents>
– Documents that prove the above conditions
– Vaccination certificate (must be written in English and the required number of doses must have been taken at least 14 days before departure)
– Certificate of negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of entry into Indonesia
– Hotel booking confirmation for the quarantine period.
Requirements and required documents may change from time to time, so please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website for the latest information.
A negative PCR test certificate must be written in English for international travel. There are two methods of specimen collection for the PCR test: nasopharyngeal and saliva. This is not specified in Indonesia, but it should be noted that in some countries only nasopharynx is approved.
On a side note, I saw a person standing in line at the airport check-in counter who was unable to leave the country because the spelling of the name on the negative PCR certificate was wrong. The airport staff called the issuing authority and asked them to send a corrected document as soon as possible, but I wonder if that person managed to leave the country safely.
Departing Japan
Entering Indonesia
The scene of most passengers standing up as soon as the landing sign is given is nostalgic. In the time of coexisting with COVID-19, when the plane arrives, each block of seats is asked to step out of the aircraft. If you want to get through immigration as quickly as possible, I recommend that you get a seat at the front of the plane.
In the terminal, the following procedures were carried out.
1. Confirmation of negative PCR test results in Japan, vaccination certificates and medical examination results to be completed at the airport by a member of staff.
2. 1st PCR test
3. Immigration check
4. Baggage collection
5. Customs check
6. Meet the hotel staff for quarantine and leave your passport with them. (Your passport will be returned the following day)
7. Transfer to the quarantine hotel by a car arranged by the hotel.
I found that the waiting time was particularly long for the steps 1 to 2. Chairs were evenly spaced throughout the terminal, and passengers were directed by staff to move from one block to the next to complete the procedure. It is recommended to carry the necessary documents in a file, as you may be asked to present them more than once. It took me about 1.5 hours from the time I arrived at the airport to the time I left, which was much smoother than the 3 hours it took me when I arrived in May.
After completing customs clearance, you will meet the hotel staff and drive to your hotel.
Quarantine period at the hotel
When I entered the country, I had to spend seven days in compulsory isolation in a hotel.
During this period, you are not allowed to step out of your hotel room. I have experienced hotel isolation in Japan, but compared to business hotels in Japan, hotel rooms in Indonesia are more spacious, so I didn’t feel that much pain, but it seems to vary from person to person. No room cleaning is done during your stay, but sheets and towels can be changed. Also, the hotel I was staying at included a laundry service, so I didn’t have to worry about washing my clothes.
The second PCR test is taken on day 6 and, if negative, you may check out on day 7.
Meals were the only thing to look forward to during the quarantine.
To avoid contact with the staff, the meal is served on a chair placed in front of the door of the room.
Jakarta today
Activity restriction levels in Indonesia are managed by the government in five levels based on the situation of the COVID-19. Until recently, Jakarta was at the lowest level, level 1, but in the last few days this has been changed from level 1 to 2. The government has also just announced a ban on returning home for the New Year holidays and a ban on paid holidays for civil servants and private sector employees. In Jakarta, we have heard that the vaccination rate has reached 99%, but the fact that the government has tightened the regulations so severely shows that it is desperate to avoid the worst of the medical crisis at all costs.
In Indonesia, the registration of an app called “PeduliLindungi” is mandatory, in which functions such as proof of vaccination against coronavirus, negative certificates and contact notification are compiled. In Jakarta, you will need to present this app to go anywhere in Jakarta, including office buildings, shopping malls, restaurants and MRT.
If you have been vaccinated in Japan, you will need to apply to register your vaccine record on the dedicated website of the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Those who are planning to travel from Japan are advised to apply in advance. In some cases, it may take a few days from application to approval.
This is how your activity is displayed on the app. It can make you feel like you are being watched everywhere you go.
Taxi app (Grab)
MRT
The car is quite empty on holidays. Seats are marked with a sticker to make one space between each customer, and conversation is not allowed in the car. There are always two security staff patrolling the car, and if you are chatting with friends, you will be warned immediately.
When you spend time in Jakarta, you always get the impression that everywhere you go is tightly controlled by the government. I sometimes feel comfortable in restaurants with wide seats and facilities with limited number of people. This has kept me safe, but I wonder how long this coexist with COVID-19 will last. I myself am disappointed by the restrictions on activities during the New Year holidays, but I hope that things will return to normal soon.
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Author profile
Sumire Shibazaki
Senior Research Manager, Intage Indonesia.
After 8 years in charge of domestic research at the Intage Group, I worked in a department that oversees overseas research as outbound research from Japan and the business of overseas subsidiaries.I have been in charge of more than 20 countries so far.
I had planned to make my long-awaited debut as an expatriate in 2020, but it was postponed due to the impact of COVID‑19.
For about a year, I was in charge of research in Indonesia as a remote representative from Japan, and finally arrived in Indonesia in May 2021. -
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Fong-Tat CHEW
- Dec 02, 2021
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