Indonesia Drops Arrival Covid-19 Test

Indonesia has had its up and downs while trying to open up for international visitor arrivals from 2021, but entry requirements have been relaxed significantly over the past couple of months (no longer “business” visas required, no quarantine & visa-on-arrival returned).

Now, Indonesia has decided to drop the arrival Covid-19 test altogether for those who are fully vaccinated. Instead, incoming passengers only need to undergo a health screening and be directed to a Covid-19 PCR-RT test if a high temperature is detected.

You can access Indonesia’s page for incoming visitors here.

Note that the exact implementation date is still unclear, but I would expect it to be rolled out and published in the official government circular within a week.

Excerpt from the Indonesia Expat:

Initially, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that Indonesia’s economic recovery could rise quickly after February. However, he highlighted that the international aviation sector still needs to be improved.

“International flight capacity is still far from normal. For this reason, the government will take steps. We will relax the overseas travellers’ entry test rules for entering Indonesia so that the number of incoming flights can increase without causing a buildup at the airport,” he said at a press conference on Monday 4th April 2022.

I could have told the minister that regular tourists won’t arrive unless the process is smooth for them; no applying for permits/visas, quarantines, pre-departure, and arrival covid-tests.

These relaxed entry requirements have helped make returning to Indonesia easier for nationals and residents and those with ties to the country.

“Overseas travellers would have to receive full vaccinations then provide a negative PCR test result valid within 48 hours before departure in their home country,” said Hartarto.

Upon arrival, overseas travellers are still required to go through a health screening process by checking body temperature. Anyone above  37.5 degrees Celsius will immediately be taken for a PCR test by officers whereas those below this body temperature won’t be asked to take a COVID-19 test of any sort.

Recent Indonesia Entry Developments:

• Indonesia Welcomes Visitors With Arrival Test & No Quarantine
• Bali On Visa-On-Arrival Available For 20 More Countries From March 21, 2022
• Check-List For Visa-On-Arrival & Guarantee Free Entry To Bali
• Indonesia Lowers Quarantine To One Day For Jakarta & Three Nights In Bali
• NOW OFFICIAL: Entering Bali On Visa-On-Arrival Available For 23 Nationals From March 7, 2022
• Bali Reopening With Visa-On-Arrival & Without Quarantine On March 7, 2022?
• Indonesia Lowers Quarantine/Warm Up Vacation To Three Days For Fully Vaccinated

Conclusion

This is a very welcomed change, and I wish that countries could drop the pre-departure test requirement for fully vaccinated people.

I have an Asian trip starting in two weeks that will take me to Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali), and Singapore over two months, and I have been following these entry and test changes closely.