Indonesia expands entry restrictions for foreign workers over COVID-19
Indonesian Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly has said foreign workers involved in the national strategic projects starting July 21 are not allowed to enter the country, as the government has expanded restrictions to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases.
A road in Jakarta during the time of social distancing to curb COVID-19 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Law and Human RightsMinister Yasonna Laoly has said foreign workers involved in the nationalstrategic projects starting July 21 are not allowed to enter the country, asthe government has expanded restrictions to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Foreign workers who previously came as part of a nationalstrategic project, or for reasons of family union, can no longer enterIndonesia, Laoly noted.
Foreigners allowed to enter Indonesian territory are holdersof diplomatic visas or residence permits, medical and humanitarian workers, or transportation workerswho carry goods. They are permitted to enter Indonesia with the recommendationof the relevant ministry or institution, he added.
Indonesia is facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with theentry of the more contagious Delta variant.
As of July 21, the country had recorded 2,983,830 cases, including 2,356,553 recoveries and 77,583 deaths./.
While Thailand is setting up checkpoints to restrict mobility in 13 provinces in a bid to prevent COVID-19 from spreading from the dark-red zone, the pandemic situation has also yet to ease in other Southeast Asian countries.
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The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
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A road in Jakarta during the time of social distancing to curb COVID-19 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
