“PPKM Emergency” and Latest Policies Related to Indonesian Tourism

Legian Beach, Bali. Image via: Indonesia.travel (Kemenparekraf)

(Updated to 4 October 2021). The latest news in the last week about “happenings” in Jakarta and Indonesia is interesting to watch for all travelers who love Indonesia. We all have long missed exploring natural and cultural tourism throughout Indonesia. However, because the pandemic is still raging, it would be better if we listened and refrained from stay at home while doing what useful for us to do for ourselves, family and others.

Here are some of the latest policies taken by the Indonesian government regarding the pandemic and tourism. Hopefully this pandemic storm can all pass through soon from around the world.
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(This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date)

PPKM Emergency

We call this policy “PPKM Darurat” (Emergency Community Activity Restrictions). The Indonesian government has taken the Emergency PPKM policy to suppress the high rate of increase in positive Covid-19 cases in June-July 2021. Emergency PPKM is analogous to a regional lockdown on the islands of Java and Bali. Meanwhile, other regions in Indonesia continue to apply the Micro PPKM policy which has previously been implemented but is more stringent.

Broadly speaking, Emergency PPKM limits the movement or mobility of peoples and do works from home except for essential or important sectors. The implementation is by closing public areas such as tourist attractions, sports venue, arts and culture show, malls, restaurants, and cafes. Places such as restaurants and cafes can only serve via delivery.

This Emergency PPKM (now its called: PPKM Level 2-4 Jawa-Bali/updated) was extended by Indonesia Government and valid start from July 3, to October4, 2021 until further notice next. Its seems to be extended every two weeks until all regions experience lower levels of decline.

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Cancellation of Planned Opening of Bali Tourism July 2021

The opening of Bali Tourism for foreign tourists, which was planned at the end of July 2021, was decided to be cancelled by government. The increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in Indonesia, especially on the islands of Java and Bali in June-July, caused the plan to open Bali tourism to be postponed until an undetermined time limit. Likewise with other entrances to Indonesia, various tightening policies have been imposed.

As quoting from Kompas, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment; Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the Emergency PPKM Policy Coordinator said that it was not possible for Indonesia to open Bali tourism for foreign tourists in the midst of a new variant of the corona virus, namely Delta, which spreads faster and higher.

According to him, the government now is currently trying to focus on reducing the spread of the corona virus by prepare the worst case scenario and continues to encourage the implementation of health protocols and Covid-19 vaccinations for the people of Bali.

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Postponement of “Work From Bali” (WFB) Policy, Vaccine Tourism, and Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA)

Before the positive number of Covid-19 rose significantly in June-July 2021, Indonesian government plans to implement the "Work From Bali" policy, Vaccine Tourism and the implementation of the Travel Corridor Arrangement to start opening up and stimulating the tourism sector.

“Work From Bali” is a gradual policy starting plan in July 2021 which encourages government employees (Civil Servants/PNS) to work and stay from Bali. It’s hoped that from this policy, tourism sector in Bali will start to live and get income again. This policy has started to run in January 2021 through employees of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The benefits for the Bali tourism sector are starting to be felt by starting to increase domestic tourist visits to Bali. However, now this policy is delayed due to the implementation of Emergency PPKM.

Read Also : Can Foreign Tourist Enter Indonesia and Bali yet? Check Out this Last Rules!

Vaccine Tourism is a Covid-19 Vaccine Tour Package with a complete dose for domestic tourists who want to travel to various destinations in Indonesia. The scheme is that tourists getting first dose of vaccine before departure to a tourist destination, enjoy 14-day vacation at a certain tourist destination and then receive a second dose of vaccination before returning home. This Vaccine Tour Package was delayed due to the implementation of Emergency PPKM.

Meanwhile, the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) policy is the opening of a special route for Indonesian tourism with several countries that cooperate each other such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, China, Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine, will also likely be postponed. Regarding this TCA, a number of health procedures will still be carried out for foreign tourists later, such as PCR-Swab Test and Vaccination before arrival with the prepared destinations, namely Bali and Batam city. In relation to Emergency PPKM, the discussion on this TCA policy will be postponed indefinitely.

So, keep healthy and take care travelers! May those updates be useful.

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