Indonesia has quickly banned overseas vacationers coming into the nation by way of Jakarta’s airport, the transport ministry mentioned, in a bid to gradual a spike in coronavirus infections pushed by the Omicron variant.

The Southeast Asian nation has seen a soar in instances, with greater than 36,000 infections recorded on Sunday (Feb 6) and the mattress occupancy charge at hospitals within the capital reaching 63 per cent.

The transfer to bar vacationers flying to Jakarta comes simply days after Bali welcomed the first international flight in almost two years carrying overseas guests.

The new laws apply to overseas vacationers and Indonesians who’ve travelled overseas for holidays, the ministry mentioned in an announcement launched late on Sunday.

The choice to “temporarily restrict tourist arrivals” was meant to gradual the unfold of the coronavirus, mentioned Novie Riyanto, director basic for civil aviation on the ministry.

Tourists flying from overseas will nonetheless have the ability to arrive at Bali airport, in addition to at Batam and Tanjung Pinang within the Riau Islands close to Singapore.

Police have additionally carried out a curfew in downtown Jakarta from midnight to 4am as infections have stored climbing.

Indonesian officers have warned that the surge in instances pushed by the Omicron variant might not peak till late February.

Despite these issues, the resort island of Bali welcomed a flight from Tokyo final Thursday carrying six foreigners, principally journey brokers who had been on board to watch the island’s readiness to obtain overseas vacationers.

Bali formally opened to overseas guests from 19 international locations final October, however with no non-cargo flights till final week overseas vacationers have been restricted.

Source: Agency