DON'T PANIC.... well, maybe a little bit.

[centurion]

And I have to return for work to my EU home country in a few months. Could become tricky...

Maybe that is the right time to go to Europe.

 

[nd_eric_77]

It looks like the currency markets are not confident in Indonesia's economic outlook... the USD just cruised past 15k today; currently 15,151. Years ago, I would have benefited from the rising USD, as I used to be paid in dollars... now I share my local coworkers' pain.

 

[centurion]

It looks like the currency markets are not confident in Indonesia's economic outlook... the USD just cruised past 15k today; currently 15,151. Years ago, I would have benefited from the rising USD, as I used to be paid in dollars... now I share my local coworkers' pain.

On corporate online BCA bisnis I just bought dollars for 15300+

 

[make_batik_great_again]

It looks like the currency markets are not confident in Indonesia's economic outlook... the USD just cruised past 15k today; currently 15,151. Years ago, I would have benefited from the rising USD, as I used to be paid in dollars... now I share my local coworkers' pain.

The question is: Are those doubts regarding Indonesia's economical outlook justified? If not...then it is probably only a temporary phenomenon and I could imagine that the exchange rate will go back into the other direction again (since there is a lot of hysteria at the markets at the moment). Before this whole corona crisis arised, the rupiah became stronger and stronger. In January, I read several articles that expected the rupiah to be one of the currencies worth investing in this year. Of course, they did not expect corona to become such a huge issue at that time...

 

[jstar]

Maybe that is the right time to go to Europe.

I agree. I think we can assume in a couple of months it's relatively under control over there. But here....

In January, I read several articles that expected the rupiah to be one of the currencies worth investing in this year.

That was obviously also a big reason to keep up the 'safe haven' image in RI; to get the investors that pulled out of the PRC.

 

[Euc-]

KEBIJAKAN TAMBAHAN PEMERINTAH INDONESIA
TERKAIT PERLINTASAN ORANG DARI DAN KE INDONESIA
1. Pemerintah terus mencermati laporan dari WHO mengenai perkembangan penyebaran COVID-19.
2. Mengingat semakin banyak negara yang sudah terjangkit COVID-19, Pemerintah menghimbau dengan sangat agar warganegara Indonesia membatasi bepergian ke luar negeri kecuali untuk kepentingan yang sangat mendesak dan tidak dapat ditunda.
3. Untuk Warga Negara Indonesia yang saat ini sedang bepergian ke luar negeri, diharapkan untuk segera kembali ke Indonesia sebelum mengalami kesulitan penerbangan lebih jauh lagi.
4. Sejumlah negara saat ini telah memberlakukan kebijakan pembatasan lalu lintas orang. Oleh karena itu, semua warga negara Indonesia diminta untuk terus mencermati informasi di aplikasi safe-travel atau menghubungi hotline perwakilan RI terdekat.
5. Terkait dengan pendatang/travelers orang asing dari semua negara, Pemerintah Indonesia memutuskan bahwa kebijakan Bebas Visa Kunjungan (BVK), Visa Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan (Visa on Arrival) dan Bebas Visa Diplomatik/Dinas ditangguhkan selama 1 bulan.
6. Oleh karena itu, setiap orang asing yang akan berkunjung ke Indonesia diharuskan memiliki Visa dari Perwakilan RI sesuai dengan maksud dan tujuan kunjungan. Pada saat pengajuan visa harus melampirkan surat keterangan sehat/health certificate yang dikeluarkan oleh otoritas kesehatan yang berwenang di masing-masing negara.
7. Selain hal tersebut di atas, terdapat kebijakan khusus yang menyangkut beberapa negara sebagai berikut:
8. Pertama, kebijakan terhadap RRT masih berlaku sesuai dengan pernyataan Menlu tanggal 2 Februari (https://kemlu.go.id/portal/id/read/1128/siaran_pers/pernyataan-pers-kemlu-tentang-update-pemulangan-wni-dari-wuhan-serta-kebijakan-pemri-mengenai-pendatangtraveler-dari-rrt) dan Permenkumham nomor 7 tahun 2020 (https://www.imigrasi.go.id/uploads/14-15-07-PERMENKUMHAM_NOMOR_7_TAHUN_2020_TENTANG_PEMBERIAN_VISA_DAN_IZIN_TINGGAL_DALAM_UPAYA_PENCEGAHAN_MASUKNYA_VIRUS_CORONA.pdf)
9. Kedua, kebijakan terhadap Korea Selatan untuk Kota Daegu dan Propinsi Gyeongsangbuk-do masih sesuai dengan pernyataan Menlu tanggal 5 Maret 2020. https://kemlu.go.id/portal/id/read/1104/berita/indonesian-government-policy-on-the-development-of-covid-19-outbreak
10. Ketiga, pendatang/travelers yang dalam waktu 14 hari terakhir berkunjung ke negara-negara dibawah ini tidak diijinkan masuk/transit ke Indonesia. Negara-negara tersebut adalah:
a. Iran;
b. Italia;
c. Vatikan;
d. Spanyol;
e. Perancis;
f. Jerman;
g. Swiss;
h. Inggris
11. Keempat, semua pendatang/travelers wajib mengisi dan menyerahkan kartu Health Alert Card (Kartu Kewaspadaan Kesehatan) kepada Kantor Kesehatan Pelabuhan sebelum ketibaan di pintu masuk Bandara Internasional Indonesia.
12. Jika dari riwayat perjalanan menunjukkan bahwa dalam 14 hari terakhir yang bersangkutan pernah berkunjung ke negara-negara tersebut, maka yang bersangkutan dapat ditolak masuk ke Indonesia.
13. Kelima, bagi WNI yang berkunjung ke negara-negara tersebut di atas, akan dilakukan pemeriksaan tambahan oleh Kantor Kesehatan Pelabuhan setiba di tanah air:
a. Apabila pemeriksaan tambahan menemukan gejala awal Covid-19 maka akan dilakukan observasi pada fasilitas pemerintah selama 14 hari;
b. Apabila tidak ditemukan gejala awal maka sangat dianjurkan yang bersangkutan melakukan karantina mandiri selama 14 hari.
14. Perpanjangan izin tinggal bagi pendatang/travelers asing yang saat ini berada di Indonesia dan sudah habis masa berlakunya, maka pengaturannya dilakukan sesuai dengan Permenkumham No. 7 tahun 2020.
15. Bagi pemegang KITAS/KITAP serta pemegang izin tinggal diplomatik/dinas yang saat ini sedang berada di luar negeri dan izin masuknya akan berakhir, maka pengaturannya juga sesuai dengan Permenkumham No. 7 tahun 2020.
16. Kebijakan ini akan mulai berlaku pada hari Jumat tanggal 20 Maret pukul 00.00 WIB.
17. Kebijakan ini bersifat sementara dan akan dievaluasi sesuai dengan perkembangan.
---0000---

https://kemlu.go.id/portal/id/read/1135/siaran_pers/kebijakan-tambahan-pemerintah-indonesia-terkait-perlintasan-orang-dari-dan-ke-indonesia

 

[Euc-]

Visa on Arrival, Visa Exemption on arrival have been revoked.

Anyone wanting to come to Indonesia (foreigners that is) requires a visa issued by the Indonesian embassy in their country, with a health certificate stating you are clear of corona.

Foreigners who have been to the list of countries mentioned above will now not be allowed access to Indonesia. Indonesian citizens and foreigners those with stay permits to go in 14-day quarantine.

Edit: last part incorrect. Indonesian citizens from those countries coming back to Indonesia will be subject to health authority checks. If they show signs of the virus, they will be quarantined in government facilities, if they do not show signs they should go into self-quarantine for 14 days.

I cannot see where it says what happens to active KITAS/P holders who are currently abroad, or who have been in those countries in the last 14 days.

 

[dafluff]

I cannot see where it says what happens to active KITAS/P holders who are currently abroad, or who have been in those countries in the last 14 days.

I expect those to receive the same treatment as WNI, but I can't really find clear instructions, not even in the ministerial decree.

 

[nd_eric_77]

KEBIJAKAN TAMBAHAN PEMERINTAH INDONESIA
TERKAIT PERLINTASAN ORANG DARI DAN KE INDONESIA
1. Pemerintah terus mencermati laporan dari WHO mengenai perkembangan penyebaran COVID-19.
2. Mengingat semakin banyak negara yang sudah terjangkit COVID-19, Pemerintah menghimbau dengan sangat agar warganegara Indonesia membatasi bepergian ke luar negeri kecuali untuk kepentingan yang sangat mendesak dan tidak dapat ditunda.
3. Untuk Warga Negara Indonesia yang saat ini sedang bepergian ke luar negeri, diharapkan untuk segera kembali ke Indonesia sebelum mengalami kesulitan penerbangan lebih jauh lagi.
4. Sejumlah negara saat ini telah memberlakukan kebijakan pembatasan lalu lintas orang. Oleh karena itu, semua warga negara Indonesia diminta untuk terus mencermati informasi di aplikasi safe-travel atau menghubungi hotline perwakilan RI terdekat.
5. Terkait dengan pendatang/travelers orang asing dari semua negara, Pemerintah Indonesia memutuskan bahwa kebijakan Bebas Visa Kunjungan (BVK), Visa Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan (Visa on Arrival) dan Bebas Visa Diplomatik/Dinas ditangguhkan selama 1 bulan.
6. Oleh karena itu, setiap orang asing yang akan berkunjung ke Indonesia diharuskan memiliki Visa dari Perwakilan RI sesuai dengan maksud dan tujuan kunjungan. Pada saat pengajuan visa harus melampirkan surat keterangan sehat/health certificate yang dikeluarkan oleh otoritas kesehatan yang berwenang di masing-masing negara.
7. Selain hal tersebut di atas, terdapat kebijakan khusus yang menyangkut beberapa negara sebagai berikut:
8. Pertama, kebijakan terhadap RRT masih berlaku sesuai dengan pernyataan Menlu tanggal 2 Februari (https://kemlu.go.id/portal/id/read/1128/siaran_pers/pernyataan-pers-kemlu-tentang-update-pemulangan-wni-dari-wuhan-serta-kebijakan-pemri-mengenai-pendatangtraveler-dari-rrt) dan Permenkumham nomor 7 tahun 2020 (https://www.imigrasi.go.id/uploads/14-15-07-PERMENKUMHAM_NOMOR_7_TAHUN_2020_TENTANG_PEMBERIAN_VISA_DAN_IZIN_TINGGAL_DALAM_UPAYA_PENCEGAHAN_MASUKNYA_VIRUS_CORONA.pdf)
9. Kedua, kebijakan terhadap Korea Selatan untuk Kota Daegu dan Propinsi Gyeongsangbuk-do masih sesuai dengan pernyataan Menlu tanggal 5 Maret 2020. https://kemlu.go.id/portal/id/read/1104/berita/indonesian-government-policy-on-the-development-of-covid-19-outbreak
10. Ketiga, pendatang/travelers yang dalam waktu 14 hari terakhir berkunjung ke negara-negara dibawah ini tidak diijinkan masuk/transit ke Indonesia. Negara-negara tersebut adalah:
a. Iran;
b. Italia;
c. Vatikan;
d. Spanyol;
e. Perancis;
f. Jerman;
g. Swiss;
h. Inggris
11. Keempat, semua pendatang/travelers wajib mengisi dan menyerahkan kartu Health Alert Card (Kartu Kewaspadaan Kesehatan) kepada Kantor Kesehatan Pelabuhan sebelum ketibaan di pintu masuk Bandara Internasional Indonesia.
12. Jika dari riwayat perjalanan menunjukkan bahwa dalam 14 hari terakhir yang bersangkutan pernah berkunjung ke negara-negara tersebut, maka yang bersangkutan dapat ditolak masuk ke Indonesia.
13. Kelima, bagi WNI yang berkunjung ke negara-negara tersebut di atas, akan dilakukan pemeriksaan tambahan oleh Kantor Kesehatan Pelabuhan setiba di tanah air:
a. Apabila pemeriksaan tambahan menemukan gejala awal Covid-19 maka akan dilakukan observasi pada fasilitas pemerintah selama 14 hari;
b. Apabila tidak ditemukan gejala awal maka sangat dianjurkan yang bersangkutan melakukan karantina mandiri selama 14 hari.
14. Perpanjangan izin tinggal bagi pendatang/travelers asing yang saat ini berada di Indonesia dan sudah habis masa berlakunya, maka pengaturannya dilakukan sesuai dengan Permenkumham No. 7 tahun 2020.
15. Bagi pemegang KITAS/KITAP serta pemegang izin tinggal diplomatik/dinas yang saat ini sedang berada di luar negeri dan izin masuknya akan berakhir, maka pengaturannya juga sesuai dengan Permenkumham No. 7 tahun 2020.
16. Kebijakan ini akan mulai berlaku pada hari Jumat tanggal 20 Maret pukul 00.00 WIB.
17. Kebijakan ini bersifat sementara dan akan dievaluasi sesuai dengan perkembangan.
---0000---

https://kemlu.go.id/portal/id/read/1135/siaran_pers/kebijakan-tambahan-pemerintah-indonesia-terkait-perlintasan-orang-dari-dan-ke-indonesia

I wish this would have a time limit rather than "Kebijakan ini bersifat sementara dan akan dievaluasi sesuai dengan perkembangan." They could always reconsider and extend the policy if necessary.

 

[Jaime C]

A Facebook expat group had this translation:

Got this from Law and regulations in Indonesia group. The website is overloaded so may not work.
I'm just copying and pasting, I didn't write this nor check the translation, just sharing info for those who are asking about visa extensions or visas expiring.

English translation:
1. The government continues to pay close attention to reports from WHO regarding the development of the spread of COVID-19.
2. Bearing in mind that more and more countries have been infected with COVID-19, the Government strongly urges Indonesian citizens to limit their travel abroad except for urgent matters which cannot be postponed.
3. For Indonesian citizens who are currently traveling abroad, they are expected to return to Indonesia immediately before experiencing further flight difficulties.
4. A number of countries currently have policies to restrict traffic. Therefore, all Indonesian citizens are requested to keep a close watch on information in the safe-travel application or contact the nearest RI representative hotline.
5. Regarding foreign visitors from all countries, the Government of Indonesia has decided that the Visa Free Arrival (BVK), Visa on Arrival and Free Diplomatic / Service Visa policies are suspended for 1 month.
6. Therefore, every foreigner who will visit Indonesia is required to have a Visa from an Indonesian Representative in accordance with the purpose and purpose of the visit. When applying for a visa, you must attach a health certificate issued by the health authority in each country.
7. In addition to the above, there are special policies that concern the following countries:
8. First, the policy towards China is still valid according to the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on February 2 (https://kemlu.go.id/…/peritif-pers-kemlu-tentang-update-...) and Permenkumham number 7 year 2020 (https: //www.imigration.go.id/.../14-15-07-PERMENKUMHAM_NOMOR_7_…)
9. Second, the policy towards South Korea for Daegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province is still in accordance with the Foreign Minister's statement dated March 5, 2020. https://kemlu.go.id/.../indonesian-government-policy-on-the-d…
10. Third, migrants / travelers who within the last 14 days visited the countries below are not permitted to enter / transit to Indonesia. These countries are:
a. Iran;
b. Italy;
c. Vatican;
d. Spanish;
e. France;
f. German;
g. Switzerland;
h. English
11. Fourth, all arrivals / travelers must fill out and submit a Health Alert Card to the Port Health Office prior to arrival at the entrance of the Indonesian International Airport.
12. If the travel history shows that in the last 14 days the person concerned has visited these countries, then the person concerned may be refused entry to Indonesia.
13. Fifth, for Indonesian citizens who visit the aforementioned countries, an additional inspection will be carried out by the Port Health Office upon arrival in the homeland:
a. If additional investigations find the initial symptoms of Covid-19, there will be an observation at a government facility for 14 days;
b. If no initial symptoms are found, it is strongly recommended that the person perform an independent quarantine for 14 days.
14. Extension of residence permit for foreigners / travelers who currently reside in Indonesia and has expired, then the arrangement is carried out in accordance with Permenkumham No. 7 in 2020.
15. For KITAS / KITAP holders and holders of diplomatic / official residence permits currently residing abroad and their entry permits will expire, the arrangements are also in accordance with Permenkumham No. 7 in 2020.
16. This policy will take effect on Friday 20 March at 00.00 West Indonesia Time.
17. This policy is temporary and will be evaluated in accordance with developments.

www.kemlu.go.id

 

[make_batik_great_again]

I wish this would have a time limit rather than "Kebijakan ini bersifat sementara dan akan dievaluasi sesuai dengan perkembangan." They could always reconsider and extend the policy if necessary.

Yes, I think so, too. As far as I know this document was originally for Chinese tourists and was now extended (so, already edited...we should recheck for updates every now and then).

 

[jstar]

Member of the Lufthansa Group, Brussels Airlines, is the first European airline which cancels all its regular flights. As of Friday.

And something we already expected; no European football championship this summer. EURO 2020 will be postponed to the summer of 2021. UEFA decided this today after consulting their national members, the leagues and the clubs. It seems the European championship will take place from June 11 to July 11, 2021.

 

[Bad_azz]

Italy has a huge Chinese population in the area where they are hardest hit (something like 300,000 people - its a manufacturing hub needing lots of workers). The disease was likely brought in early and spread around undetected (they never found patient 0 so this is not proven fact but I find it a likely explanation).
When the Italian government decided COVID-19 was a problem and closed schools/ etc. many Italians enjoyed family time together where their children infected their grandparents. Also, in their culture people hug and kiss and the area is densely populated so its a perfect place to spread a respiratory virus.
Many European countries are following the same infection path as Italy, just 7 - 14 days behind them as the virus took longer to start circulating in some countries. Hopefully they can learn lessons from the Italians and flatten their infection curves.

Yes, I also thought about that...why is the number of deaths so much higher in Italy? I also thought of pollution, smoking, etc. and the demograpy in Italy is different from China and other asian countries. Even for a European country, Italy has many people in higher age.

Furthermore, Italy was the first country in Europe that got a bigger problem with the virus. Probably, they were a bit of surprised and, therefore, took the necessary actions too late. Another assumption of me is that maybe the mentality of Italian benefits a fast and wider spread? Italians are very sociable and the greeting (within family for example very warmly...few little kisses on the cheek, left and right, sometimes on or close to the mouth etc.) might also trigger the infection to another person easier than a handshake or a little hug - I am not a virologist, just my non-professional assumption that all those little things contribute to a wider spread Edit: I just noticed that gemima posted (parallel to my post) the same assumption. So, I am not alone with my assumption

Another assumption why there are far less death cases for example in Germany so far although they also have an aging society and many older people in their population: After a very few China-visite-related cases, most cases appeared in Nordrhein-Westfalen which is one of the German regions where carnival is celebrated extensively. Experts tell that the virus spread so quick lately in Germany because of carnival infections. Since, in Germany, carnival is celebrated mostly by younger people (or at least less than 60 years or so), it might be that especially younger people got infected in Germany. And since the people are aware of the situation in Italy, they tend to be more careful (go to a doctor in an early stage, stop meeting older relatives, etc.) so that, even until now, a smaller share of infected people are in an older age (compared to Italy).

The other factor is that Italy is very much a 3 generation in one house country.
A factor shared with Indonesia.
So I expect to see high numbers here too, sadly - and hopefully not.

 

[jstar]

And that's why we said before that only extreme measures would have a chance, and that the so called 'herd immunity' approach would not work in countries like Italy or Indonesia.

You can simply not protect the senior citizens if they don't live by themselves or collectively in old people's homes.

But it seems more and more the Indonesian central government is going that way by allowing the amount of infections in a controlled way, by putting people like Anies on the leash and refusing a strict lock-down.

Of course they could have a point since the discipline is not there. Very poor people who are in survival mode couldn't care less about this. And the middle and upper class; even now as we speak the families visit Puncak, on TransTV they broadcast a live Insert fashion show, with a big audience. And the selebriti as the Onsu or Rafi Ahmad still show they go with the kids to hairdressers, restaurants, etc. etc.

So now we get half baked solutions and actions.

 

[Bad_azz]

And that's why we said before that only extreme measures would have a chance, and that the so called 'herd immunity' approach would not work in countries like Italy or Indonesia.

You can simply not protect the senior citizens if they don't live by themselves or collectively in old people's homes.

But it seems more and more the Indonesian central government is going that way by allowing the amount of infections in a controlled way, by putting people like Anies on the leash and refusing a strict lock-down.

Of course they could have a point since the discipline is not there. Very poor people who are in survival mode couldn't care less about this. And the middle and upper class; even now as we speak the families visit Puncak, on TransTV they broadcast a live Insert fashion show, with a big audience. And the selebriti as the Onsu or Rafi Ahmad still show they go with the kids to hairdressers, restaurants, etc. etc.

So now we get half baked solutions and actions.

our house is reasonably isolated, with just hubby & I (& our 3 dogs- which she gets along with) in it - I suggested my MIL come stay with us for the duration...
response- thank you very much indeed but I do a lot of praying.
She and the rest of the family (15 of them of 3 generations) inhabit 2 x 2 room houses in a small gang.
To my thinking she is gonna have to a lot more praying

 

[Tupai Hitam]

14. Extension of residence permit for foreigners / travelers who currently reside in Indonesia and has expired, then the arrangement is carried out in accordance with Permenkumham No. 7 in 2020.

This point is causing some confusion and concern among foreigners staying in Indonesia on the visitor's visa. They can't just do the usual visa run to Singapore or Malaysia and come back on the same day with a new visa.
Justice and Human Rights Minister Regulation 7/2020 was issued in late February, before the various international border closures came into effect, so it doesn't explicitly tell foreigners here on visitor visas how they can apply for extensions. Presumably they should just go, rather than incur overstay fines?
There is a 2014 regulation (amended in 2018) which allows foreigners to have their visitor visas extended in "certain circumstances" such as humanitarian reasons, natural disasters, being involved in legal processes (but not detained), and other "certain circumstances in the government interest".
I know of only one case where a foreigner on a visitor's visa was granted this free extension, on humanitarian grounds, and the person's embassy was involved in making the request.

 

[Balifrog]

This de facto travel ban to the usual "visa hop" destinations like Malaysia or SGP, is going to give a lot of headache to all the "artists and virtual workers" who survived in Indonesia on this system......,

 

[harryopal1]

I can't help but wonder if there are any contingency plans in place for dealing with some of the worst crowded prisons once Corona enters. I forget which prison but I recall seeing a story on one prison in Indonesia where it was so crowded prisoners had to take it turns to be able to lie down.

 

[tomtoba]

This de facto travel ban to the usual "visa hop" destinations like Malaysia or SGP, is going to give a lot of headache to all the "artists and virtual workers" who survived in Indonesia on this system......,

Many of us here at Lake Toba are in this situation now as well. Came in on VOA or 30-day stamp and flying back to Penang/KL now are stranded. Indo immigration needs to acknowledge the humanitarian and safety aspects of this and WAIVE overstay fees until this blows over. Forcing us to leave is NON-ESSENTIAL travel. Public transport is NOT-SAFE, with people coughing and sneezing on us. Also, forcing us to travel to immigration office (3 hour journey here) to apply for longer stays should be nixed. All responsible countries are insisting on self-isolation and quarantine. Does indonesia want to be seen as profiting from hapless travellers over this?

 

[gemima]

Many of us here at Lake Toba are in this situation now as well. Came in on VOA or 30-day stamp and flying back to Penang/KL now are stranded. Indo immigration needs to acknowledge the humanitarian and safety aspects of this and WAIVE overstay fees until this blows over. Forcing us to leave is NON-ESSENTIAL travel. Public transport is NOT-SAFE, with people coughing and sneezing on us. Also, forcing us to travel to immigration office (3 hour journey here) to apply for longer stays should be nixed. All responsible countries are insisting on self-isolation and quarantine. Does indonesia want to be seen as profiting from hapless travellers over this?

This is affecting me too - my BF is currently living with me and using the VOA visa to be here with me (he isn't working here nor is he a digital nomad). However, I think Indonesia just wants to get foreigners out of the country and I kinda understand why they might want that (less people for them to worry about and less international headlines if a local person dies compared to a foreigner). I really don't want to be left alone in the current situation here but I've been encouraging my BF to get out before he can't leave. Borders are closing so fast we don't know what tomorrow will look like.
If i was here on a VOA/ temporary visa right now I would just take the risk to fly and get out.