Health Alert – (COVID-19 Update #50) U.S. Embassy Jakarta

Health Alert (COVID-19 Update #50) – U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia, May 7, 2020

Location:  Indonesia

Event:  As of May 7, 2020, the Indonesian Ministry of Health has confirmed 12,776 cases of COVID-19 in the country.

On April 23, 2020, the Government of Indonesia announced the suspension of domestic air travel (charter and commercial) in and out of regions covered by Large-Scale Social Movement Restrictions (PSBB) and COVID-19 red zones.  This policy has significantly reduced domestic flights countrywide and eliminated most domestic flights in and out of major airports, including Jakarta and Bali.  As of May 4, a change in the policy allows a limited number of domestic flights to operate.  The updated policy allows U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals to board domestic flights solely for the purpose of transiting to an outbound international flight connection out of Jakarta.  Those seeking to board domestic transit flights must produce a Health Certificate issued within the last seven days stating they are COVID-19 free and a travel endorsement letter (which U.S. citizens may obtain by emailing JakartaACS@state.gov), among other requirements obtainable from the airline.

This same announcement included significant restrictions on domestic road, rail, and sea transport.  International flights, however, are still authorized to operate under this policy and travelers with existing itineraries should reconfirm their departure details with the airline.

We understand that international routes to the United States via Tokyo, Seoul, Doha, and Amsterdam remain operational at this time.  However, while international flights remain available, the severe drop in domestic flights is likely to further reduce demand for international flights and we expect that options for returning to the United States will continue to diminish.  U.S. citizens who are not prepared to remain in Indonesia indefinitely should make immediate travel arrangements to depart.

The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights from Indonesia at this time.  Under the Global Level 4 Health Advisory, we strongly advise U.S. citizens to arrange for immediate return to the United States while there is still an opportunity.

U.S. citizens should consider booking flights to major points of entry into the United States and then arrange for further domestic travel upon arrival.  For verified information about the COVID-19 situation in other countries, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html.

On March 25, the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of employee family members under the age of 21 from Embassy Jakarta, the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, Consulate General Surabaya, and Consulate Medan.  This decision was made due to evidence of COVID-19 in Indonesia, limited Indonesian medical capacity, and decreased availability of flights out of Indonesia.  U.S. Embassy Jakarta, U.S. Consulate General Surabaya, Consulate Medan, and our Consular Agency in Bali remain open for mission-critical functions only.  Emergency services for U.S. citizens remain available.

We strongly encourage U.S. citizens, whenever they travel abroad, to enroll their travel plans through STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program: https://step.state.gov/step/.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health has set up an information hotline regarding the potential for COVID-19 in Indonesia.  Check their website (www.kemkes.go.id/) or call +62-21-5210411 or +62-82-12123119.

Actions to Take:

  • Check with your airline regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or travel restrictions.
  • Consult the CDC (www.cdc.gov) for the most up-to-date health information on the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Visit the State Department (www.travel.state.gov) for COVID-19 traveler information.
  • Consult our Embassy (https://id.usembassy.gov/) for information on conditions in Indonesia.
  • Visit the Department of Homeland Security (www.dhs.gov) for the latest on travel restrictions to the United States.
  • Seek medical care right away if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms), or if you were exposed to someone who may have had COVID-19.

Contacts for Emergency Assistance:

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.

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