Indonesia is Banning All Foreign Visitors for 2 Weeks Due to New Coronavirus Strain

Japan isn’t the only one temporarily banning foreign visitors from entering the country.

Now, Indonesia is doing the same as well.

The ban on foreign visitors from entering Indonesia will start on 1 Jan 2021 and last until 14 Jan 2021.

Exceptions will only be given to those on ministerial ranks and above, Retno Marsudi, the country’s foreign minister, said.

Indonesia is Banning All Foreign Visitors Due to New Coronavirus Strain

The reason for the sudden temporary ban was due to the new coronavirus strain discovered in the country.

The coronavirus strain, which first turned up in Britain and South Africa, is 70% more infectious than other existing coronavirus strains.

By imposing the temporary ban, Indonesia is hoping to curb the transmission of the new strain.

GeNose C19

Other than the ban, Indonesia is also introducing a new rapid test and detect the presence of Covid-19 within minutes.

Called GeNose C19, the breathalyser test is developed by researchers at Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University.

According to Professor Kuwat Triyana, a single test only requires 3 minutes, including collecting breath samples.

The results can be ready in 2 minutes.

It was added that 100 breathalysers would be distributed initially at public places like airports, train stations and hospitals.

Each unit is able to carry out 120 tests, he said in a statement, so theoretically, they can “cover a total of 12,000 people per day.”

The goal of the research team is to produce 10,000 units by Feb 2021 and test 1.2 million people a day.

Hopefully, this will allow them to discover asymptomatic cases so that they can be isolated and treated quicker.

Cheaper To Produce

The cost of each test for the GeNose C19 is between 15,000 and 25,000 rupiahs (~S$1.40 and S$2.50).

On the other hand, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test costs millions of rupiah and previously, Indonesia had mentioned that they are not able to afford the costly test.

Five companies in Indonesia have committed to support the production and distribution of the breathalysers, which were developed with funds from the State Intelligence Agency and the Research and Technology Ministry.

While the breathalysers are a way for Indonesia to solve their overwhelmed testing capabilities, a doctor said that the breath analysis should only be used for mass screening, and not for a diagnosis.

Feature Image: Agvi Firdaus / Shutterstock.com