JAKARTA – The country has imposed a travel ban to and from China starting Feb 5, 2020, as the world steps up efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi confirmed news of the ban, which took effect at 12am on Wednesday. “We’re doing what other countries have already done. We have been very careful about this.”
All visitors who had been in China for 14 days or more are banned from visiting or transiting in Indonesia. Chinese citizens will also not be able to have access to visa-free or visa on arrival provisions.
The minister has also indicated meetings with management of domestic airlines to discuss the situation at hand, as well as potential losses suffered as a result of this policy.
He also added that the government was finalising a policy on cargo planes flying goods into Indonesia, where it’ll be mandatory for flight crew to undergo medical inspection upon arriving in Indonesia, and will not be allowed off the plane.
With nearly 2 million Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia yearly, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio has shared that the travel ban would prove a huge challenge for the country’s tourism.
In response, the ministry will be turning to boost domestic travel, encouraging local tourists to explore within Indonesia – also in efforts to reduce the spread of the virus abroad.
“Once again, our main priority is protecting the health of the Indonesian people. That is the main thing to consider at the moment,” said Mr. Kusubandio.
“Together with the Transportation Ministry, we will set a meeting with about 30 airlines to see the possibility of switching their international routes to domestic ones,” he said, adding that regions affected most by the travel ban are North Sulawesi, Bali, and Bintan Island.