Confusion over Extending Emergency PPKM
Will President Joko Widodo extend emergency PPKM until the end of July? Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, on July 16 said he would. One day later, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said that ministers were still mulling the move. Luhut said he and other ministers were still evaluating the impact of emergency measures and would then report to the President, with a decision being announced in "two or three days."
The emergency PPKM is set to expire tomorrow.
Related links:
- https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20210716172135-4-261546/alert-ppkm-darurat-diperpanjang-sampai-akhir-juli-2021
- https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/07/18/conflicting-statements-brings-uncertainty-over-ppkm-darurat.html
Stay Permits Can Now be Extended While Abroad
With the pandemic dragging on and more foreign residents unable to return to Indonesia, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has issued Circular Letter Number IMI-0158.GR.01.01 of 2021, which contains provisions on how foreigners can extend their permanent and temporary stay permits (KITAS/KITAP) while living abroad. The Immigration Office allows foreigners to apply for an extension of their KITAS, KITAP, or Re-Entry Permit (IMK) by having their guarantor/person in charge file an application electronically or manually. The guarantor will need to attach a copy of the passport, complete the application (without the biometric collection process) with approval from the Director-General of Immigration, and report the foreigners’ arrival in Indonesia to the Immigration Office no later than 30 days after the date of arrival. AmCham has translated the new regulation into English.
Circular Letter Number IMI-0158.GR.01.01 of 2021
Stay Home for Idul Adha: Government
All religious activities in red and orange zones are suspended during Idul Adha, July 18-25, and must be conducted at home, after the Covid-19 Task Force issued Circular Letter 15/2021 concerning restrictions on community mobility and religious activities.
Regions not categorized as red and orange zones are allowed to conduct religious activities with strict health protocols at only 30 percent of maximum capacity. Tourist locations in red and orange zones will be closed, while areas outside red and orange zones can still operate with 25 percent capacity and strict health protocols.
Inter-region travel will strictly be limited to essential and critical workers and individuals with urgent needs: patients with critical illness, pregnant women (max. one person accompanying), maternity and childbirth (max. two persons accompanying), and funeral processions for non-Covid deaths (max. five persons). These exempted individuals must have a valid Working Registration Permit (STRP) when they travel.
The Ministry of Transportation has also issued Circular Letter 53/2021 concerning domestic air travel during the pandemic. This circular will be effective July 19-25. Air passengers traveling from and to Java and Bali must show a negative PCR taken within two days before departure, while passengers traveling to other destinations can show either a negative PCR taken within two days before departure or a rapid Antigen test was taken within one day before departure, and both require proof of vaccination.
Related link:
Covid-19 Task Force Circular Letter No. 15/2021
Ministry of Transportation Circular Letter 53/2021
Record Covid Deaths Among Doctors in July, Daily Cases Down
Deaths of doctors from Covid-19 in Indonesia rose sharply in the first half of July, according to the leading physician’s association, which warned that an already weakened hospital system may not be able to manage.
A total of 114 doctors died July 1-17, the highest number reported for any period of similar length and more than 20 percent of the 545 total doctor deaths from Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, officials from the Indonesia Medical Association (IDI) said during a virtual news conference.
Meanwhile, Indonesia saw a record 1,338 new deaths today, July 19, reaching 74,920 since the pandemic began. On a positive note, the 34,257 reported new daily cases today was an almost 10,000 fall from the 44,721 yesterday.
Related links:
- https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/indonesia-reports-record-number-doctor-deaths-covid-19-july-2021-07-18/
- https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20210719161046-4-262082/jelang-akhir-ppkm-darurat-kasus-covid-harian-turun-ke-34257
- https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/07/18/indonesia-reports-record-number-of-doctor-deaths-from-covid-19-in-july.html
Paid Vaccines Scheme Cancelled, More Sinopharm Vaccines Arrive
President Joko Widodo has canceled a widely criticized paid vaccination scheme, according to a statement made by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung on July 16. Further provisions regarding the cancellation of paid vaccines will be released in a new Ministry of Health regulation, spokesperson for Covid-19 Vaccination Siti Nadia Tarmizi said.
Meanwhile, 1.184 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Indonesia today, July 19. Kimia Farma Chief Director Verdi Budidarmo said this fifth Sinopharm shipment is a part of the commitment made between Kimia Farma and Sinopharm to procure vaccines for the gotong-royong vaccination program. He also said the government is targeting 20 million vaccine jabs from the program through 2021.
Related links:
- https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1484749/kemenkes-akan-buat-peraturan-batalkan-vaksin-berbayar
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20210719124508-20-669476/11-juta-dosis-vaksin-sinopharm-tiba-di-indonesia
Philippines Bans Entry from Indonesia
In keeping with Hong Kong, Singapore, and other countries, the Philippines has banned the entry of people coming from Indonesia to prevent the spread of the highly contagious delta COVID-19 variant. Indonesian citizens and tourists who have a travel record to Indonesia in the last 14 days are prohibited from entering the Philippines from July 16 to 31.
Related link:
Indonesia Maintains Trade Balance Surplus
Indonesia’s trade balance surplus was $1.32 billion in June, lower than the previous month's surplus of $2.7 billion, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data. Indonesia’s trade balance surplus has recorded a positive value since January 2021 at $11.86 billion.
Related link:
AmCham Cares: FedEx
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at FedEx connects people and possibilities to deliver a better future for all team members, customers, suppliers, and communities.
The Lead, Inspire, Network, and Connect (Linc-UP), mentoring program enables learning development and opportunities for future leaders. FedEx aims to equip its employees with mentorship opportunities including the tools to advance personally and professionally. Linc-UP reinforces FedEx’s belief that the company is stronger when everyone has equal access to opportunities.
The DEI platform supports and grows team members at all levels of the organization in each market the company serves.
64 Designated Quarantine Hotels
The government has appointed 64 hotels to be used for eight-day mandatory quarantine for Indonesian nationals and foreigners arriving from abroad. The selected hotels are members of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and have acquired a Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability (CHSE) certificate with grade 90. Travelers who are quarantined in hotels are not allowed to receive guests, use public facilities such as gyms and swimming pools, or purchase food deliveries. Quarantine hotels are expected to provide facilities to support the daily work and entertainment of travelers in quarantine, such as high-speed internet, TV, and daily meals.
The list of the appointed hotels can be checked in the link below.
Related link:
Introducing Mars: Sustainability and Beyond
Sustainability has become the key buzzword in today's business world, with consumers increasingly concerned about the environmental and social impacts of their purchases. From sourcing ingredients to how workers are treated, waste management, and recycling, companies are expected to be responsible and give back to the regions where they operate.
For new AmCham Indonesia Premier Member, Mars, sustainability is very much a priority. Mars operates in four business segments: Wrigley (chocolate and confectionery), pet care, food, and Mars Edge (nutrition). With iconic brands such as Snickers, Skittles, Royal Canin, and Pedigree, Mars’ presence in Indonesia dates back to 1996, specifically in Sulawesi, the nation’s main cocoa-producing region. Mars has established cocoa processing factories there, sourcing networks and research facilities, as well as marine sustainability efforts in the form of reef restoration.
AmCham Indonesia’s Fransiska Andita spoke with Jeffrey Haribowo, Corporate Affairs Director of Mars Indonesia, on how the company works toward sustainability.
For the full interview, click here.
Get Katadata and Stay Updated on News and Trends
In this fast-paced world, it is often hard to stay informed on the latest political issues and business trends that may affect our lives. This is why Katadata’s D-insights provides the information we need on a daily basis, plus weekly and quarterly reports that summarize the trends and give background on the business, politics, markets, and energy.
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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
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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 the 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 AmCham's 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
