Durian. The Indonesian Health Ministry has given its consideration based on epidemiology facts to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and related government constitution regarding traveling overseas.
Though the Health Ministry does not have authority to prevent people from traveling overseas, it consideration can be used to make such decision.
“We only explained epidemiology situation of countries that are connected to Indonesia. In example in South Korea, there’s an area isolated. It is different with the situation in Iran which has higher mortality rate. It’s different with China and Singapore. We’re talking about the risk for travelers,” Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of Indonesian Health Ministry Anung Sugihantono said on Feb.2 in Jakarta.
He reaffirmed that the ministry does not have authority to restrict travelers.
“We informed about China mainland, South Korea, Italy, Iran and Singapore because of the development [of epidemiology of covid-19],” Sugihantono said.
Indonesia announced its first convid-19 cases in his territory on Feb.2.
The government has issued travel warning for its citizen from visiting several countries, including China, South Korea and Taiwan, since covid-19 becomes outbreak in several countries.
Indonesian embassy in Seoul, South Korea was halt its operation on Feb.28 due to covid-19 development in the country before resume its operation a few days later.
