Exemptions for Ban on Foreigners Entering Indonesia
The current ban on foreigners entering Indonesia has been clarified and extended, with exemptions outlined. Circular Letter Number 2/2021 released by the COVID-19 Task Force temporarily bans the entry of most foreigners due to the spread of COID-19.
The current ban is in effect through January 25.
The exemptions are: those under diplomatic and official visas; those having a limited stay permit (KITAS) or permanent stay permit (KITAP); and those possessing a specific written permit from an Indonesian government institution. Indonesian nationals are still allowed to enter the country.
Both Indonesian nationals and permitted foreigners must undergo a PCR test within 72 hours before departure. On arrival, they must undergo another PCR test. Then, Indonesians must quarantine in a government-designated facility, while foreigners must use a government-approved hotel and bear the cost during the isolation period.
After a five-day isolation, both Indonesians and foreigners must take another PCR test. If the test is COVID-19 negative, then they are allowed to continue to their final destination in Indonesia. Should the PCR test be positive, Indonesians will receive government-funded medical treatment, while foreigners must pay their own medical expenses. This applies to PCR tests also. The regulation is in force from Jan 15 until Jan 25 and can be modified if necessary.
To further support this, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has released guidance through a circular letter (IMI-0103.GR.01.01 of 2021) regulating the entry of foreigners to Indonesia during the pandemic. Notably, the circular letter allows foreigners to enter Indonesia for visiting/accompanying their ill/deceased parents/siblings or for medical purposes in Indonesia (this category only applies for a single entry).
COVID-19 TASK FORCE CIRCULAR LETTER
DG IMMIGRATION CIRCULAR LETTER
Govt Ponders Private Business Vaccination Programs
The government is considering allowing the private sector to buy and distribute COVID-19 vaccines in a bid to reduce the burden on the state vaccination program, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
Budi told the House of Representatives companies may be allowed to buy their own vaccine supplies and distribute among their staff.
“It shouldn't start now, but later, after the government has provided mandatory vaccines for health and public workers," he said, as reported by The Straits Times.
But he said no final decision had yet been made, and the government was keen not to be perceived as prioritizing the rich in the battle against the pandemic.
Related link:
134 People Entering Indonesia Tested Positive for COVID-19
Doni Monardo, Head of Indonesia’s COVID-19 Task Force, said 134 people who arrived in Indonesia from Jan 1-9 have tested positive for COVID-19. Some 96 were Indonesian nationals, while 38 were foreigners. A total of 12,283 individuals arrived in Indonesia during the period - 9,269 Indonesian nationals and 3,014 foreigners.
Those who tested positive have been transferred to 65 government-designated hotels for isolation; all were asymptomatic.
Related links:
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20210114131437-20-593660/data-satgas-134-orang-dari-luar-negeri-positif-selama-2021
- https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/14/13344671/ketua-satgas-134-orang-dari-luar-negeri-terpapar-covid-19
AmCham Cares: Chevron
A food security aid program initiated by Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), part of Chevron’s Program for a Healthy and Prosperous Riau, known as CHERISH(Chevron untuk Riau Sehat dan Sejahtera) is starting to reap benefits. Around 50 hectares of rice fields in Petapahan Village, Tapung, Kampar have entered the harvest season. The government and community held a massive harvest event on Dec 12, 2020.
CPI designed the CHERISH Program to support the emergency response to mitigate the pandemic impact and also contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Riau. The program includes three main activities: the Food Security Aid Program, establishment of a COVID-19 Disease Alert Village, and construction of a clean water well. This program uses direct funding from Chevron corporations.
In the Food Security Aid Program, CPI provides assistance to 20 farmer groups spread across six districts/cities: Pekanbaru, Kampar, Siak, Bengkalis, Dumai and Rokan Hilir. The program provides agricultural production facilities, training, and assistance according to the identification of the needs of each group. In addition, they received product promotion techniques in digital marketing training.
During the pandemic, CPI is committed to donate a total of Rp 11.6 million. In addition, SKK Migas – CPI distributed approximately 2,000 hazmat suits; 99,000 face masks; 6,000 bottles of hand sanitizer; 73 medical beds and mattresses; infrared thermometers; and 8,050 grocery packages of food distributed through task forces at the district, city and provincial levels.
“Thanks to Unri and CPI for initiating this program in order to help the government to maintain and improve food security in Riau,” said Deputy Governor Edy Natar.
Govt Plans Digital Vaccination Certificates
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin says the government plans to provide digital vaccination certificates, which would mean that those who have been vaccinated would no longer need to take COVID-19 tests before traveling. The government also plans for the vaccination certificate to be used for other purposes, such as attending concerts, going to the mall/market, or attending religious gatherings.
Related links:
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20210115074436-20-594014/sertifikat-vaksin-disiapkan-jadi-ganti-syarat-pcr-bepergian
- https://news.detik.com/berita/d-5334401/menkes-rencanakan-sertifikat-telah-vaksin-tak-perlu-lagi-hasil-tes-pcr
DPR Lists 33 Priority Bills for 2021
The Legislative Committee of the House of Representatives (Baleg) has chosen 33 bills to be House of Representatives’ (DPR) priorities for 2021. Of the 33 bills, 22 were proposed by the DPR (two jointly with the government), nine were proposed by the government, and two by the Regional House of Representatives.
The 33 bills cover a wide array of subjects, ranging from broadcasting to regional autonomy. Notable bills include the Personal Data Protection Bill (proposed by the government), the National Capital Bill (proposed by the government), the Ban of Alcoholic Beverages Bill (proposed by the DPR), the Renewable Energy Bill (proposed by the DPR), and the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector Bill (proposed jointly by the DPR and the government).
The perennial attempt to ban alcoholic beverages is staunchly opposed by the travel and tourism industry on economic grounds.
Related links:
- https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/14/22534261/baleg-tetapkan-33-ruu-prolegnas-prioritas-2021-ini-daftarnya?page=all
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20210114231756-32-593984/dpr-pemerintah-sepakati-33-ruu-masuk-prolegnas
BKPM Mandates Regular Investor Reports
The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has finally made public a regulation mandating all investors (domestic and foreign) to submit an investment activities report (LKPM) through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system. The regulation is BKPM Regulation 06/2020 and its effective date was Nov 13, 2020.
There are two types of LKPM: the development/construction stage LKPM for businesses that have not started operating commercially, and the production/operation stage LKPM for businesses that are operating commercially. Businesses with investments valued at Rp 50 million to Rp 500 million are required to submit an LKPM once every six months. Investments valued at Rp 500 million and above must report every three months. Investments below Rp 50 million and those coming from upstream oil and gas, banking, non-bank financial institutions, and insurance are exempt from mandatory reporting.
Trade Representative Offices (KPPA) and Foreign Company Representative Offices (KP3A) are also required to submit reports every six months, while Foreign Construction Services Representative Offices (BUJKA) are required to report annually. BKPM will compile the information to be submitted to the president and relevant ministries. Failure to comply will result in administrative sanctions, including revocation of business licenses and the closing down of a company’s administrative office.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REGULATION IN BAHASA
Support Independent Journalism: Subscribe to The Jakarta Post
In these difficult times, our hometown English language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, is more important than ever. Given the difficulties of physical circulation and the economic slump, the Post needs to boost its online subscribers – a goal we heartily support at AmCham Indonesia. Quality English language news is vital for our businesses, our home offices and the flow of information out of Indonesia. It is for this reason, that we are urging all of our members and readers to subscribe to JP! Information is what will help get us through this crisis. Below is information about how to sign up.
JP Premium Digital Subscription Packages
https://www.thejakartapost.com/packages
Monthly subscription – Rp 50,000
Yearly subscription – Rp 600,000
We Still Need Your Support to Shelter the Front Line
AmCham Indonesia and Habitat for Humanity have joined forces in an initiative called Sheltering Those Who Care for Us, a program to provide temporary quarters in hotels for Indonesian medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our program has helped not only medical workers in Jakarta, but also Tangerang and Surabaya; we are now planning to expand to Sulawesi.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still spreading, medical workers are working a lot harder than before. In these difficult times, they often cannot go back home for fear of infecting family members or being rejected by their local communities. As a result, they are forced to sleep in hospitals without a proper bed, also increasing the possibility of getting infected.
By donating, we will increase the overall capability of Indonesia to treat COVID-19. Habitat will match individual hospitals with hotels on an as-needed basis.
Your support is needed more than ever.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FLYER ON HOW TO DONATE
Now is the Time to Join AmCham!
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We offer a full slate of meetings, events and information for our community online. But we can only do this through the support of our members. If you are not yet an AmCham member, please join now.
AmCham Indonesia is open to all companies with an interest in US business relations and we have many non-American members. We are a community and we welcome you!
Reach us at [email protected] or click below!
AmCham Office and Events
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The AmCham Office is on work from home status and all face-to-face meetings and events have been postponed. We are having a number of meetings online using the Zoom platform. You will be notified of virtual meetings as they are scheduled.
What is Your Company Doing on COVID-19?
Please let us know what measures your company may be taking in the form of donations and other assistance to help Indonesia during this time of confusion and concern. Contact [email protected] with your news. We would like to publicize the ways that our AmCham companies are pitching in.
Stay well
We urge you to send us press releases and other information that we can pass on to the broader AmCham community. If you have items of interest, please email material to [email protected]. Follow this link to information provided by the US Embassy
Stay safe, call a doctor if you have a high fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Stay healthy above all else.
AmCham Update is a regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard is the Managing Editor.
