"Indonesia Bans Foreign Entry for 2 Weeks to Prevent COVID-19 Variants"

On the 10th of last month (local time), amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), citizens in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, were caught not wearing masks and were doing push-ups as a penalty. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The Indonesian government has decided to effectively ban foreign nationals from entering the country for two weeks starting next month on the 1st. This measure was taken amid the global spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant.

Major foreign media outlets reported on the 28th that Retno Marsudi, Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated, "To prevent the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 variant, we have decided to block foreign nationals from entering for two weeks." The Indonesian government has banned tourist entries but has allowed entry for holders of long-term visas and others.

Minister Retno explained that this measure applies to all foreigners except for certain individuals such as high-ranking officials.

Previously, the Indonesian government had already imposed entry bans on passengers departing from or transiting through the United Kingdom to block the inflow of variant viruses.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.