Indonesia Travel Information

As a result of the corona situation, Indonesian authorities have imposed a temporary entry ban on all foreigners from April 2, with only a few categories being exempt. From April 24 to June 1, most commercial flights to and from the country are suspended. For more information about coronavirus, see the entry Entry and Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, INA stands for Indonesia in geography.

Safety

The Embassy recommends to all Norwegian residents and residents of Indonesia to register on reiseregistrering.no.

Terrorism: Indonesia is mainly a safe destination, but it must nevertheless be emphasized that there is a continuing terror threat in the country. The authorities regularly arrest individuals and groups that have planned attacks. On May 13, 2018, several churches were attacked in the city of Surabaya in East Java, with 14 dead and over 40 injured. In Jakarta, the latest attack took place on May 24, 2017, where two suicide bombers targeted police. On January 14, 2016, a terrorist campaign against civilians was carried out in Jakarta, where foreigners were also hit.

All religious groups of significance clearly distance themselves from terror and violence, but several local extremist groups have supported IS and have links to other like-minded organizations in the region. As a result of the ongoing danger of terrorist attacks, Indonesian authorities have considerable and visible security preparedness in public places, especially at tourist sites in Jakarta and Bali, but also other areas of the country where many foreigners travel.

Travelers should follow the directions given by local authorities and exercise general caution. Avoid large crowds and demonstrations. In addition, the Embassy encourages everyone to pay extra attention to major holidays such as Ramadan (April 23-May 23, 2020), National Day Celebration (August 17), Christmas and New Year.

  • Countryaah: Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

Natural Disasters: Indonesia is the country with the most active volcanoes in the world. The region is very earthquake exposed, and the most devastating tsunami of historical time, Christmas Day 2004, resulted in over 180,000 deaths in Indonesia. In the rainy season, larger floods are common, and landslides and landslides regularly kill. Forest fires often occur during the drought period, often applied to clear areas for agriculture/forestry.

On December 22, 2018, the coastal areas around the Sunda Strait were hit by a tsunami when parts of the Anak Krakatau volcano island collapsed into the sea. Hundreds of lives were lost, and there were major material destruction in the area.

Several earthquakes of strength between 5.7 and 7.5, with subsequent tsunami, occurred on Central Sulawesi on September 28, 2018. The incident led to many deaths and injuries, causing major damage to buildings and infrastructure, especially in the area around Palu and Dongala. The situation is now normalized, and travel advice for the area was abolished from 26 June 2019.

Lombok was hit on August 5, 2018 by an earthquake of strength 7 on Richter’s scale. The earthquake could be felt in Lombok (including the Gili Islands), Sumbawa and Bali. The incident caused many deaths and injuries in the northern part of Lombok and also caused major damage to buildings and infrastructure in the same area. The situation is now normalized, and travel advice for the area was abolished from 30 November 2018.

The volcano Agung in Bali is occasionally active. It is located north-east on the popular tourist island, approx. 60 kilometers from Denpasar. During periods of volcanic activity, the authorities may introduce a dynamic danger zone depending on the extent of the activity. The embassy encourages Norwegians to follow the advice and information given by local authorities.

Crime: The crime on a national basis is relatively low, but common caution should be exercised. In some areas of Bali, crime is significantly higher. In Kuta, Bali, you are encouraged not to go out alone in the evening.

In light of the corona epidemic and the difficult economic situation, one should generally exercise extra care to reduce the risk of being exposed to crime. The embassy encourages Norwegians to follow the advice and information given by local authorities.

Alcohol intake and methanol poisoning: There have been several cases of death due to ingestion of locally produced alcohol and methanol poisoning. Most cases have been registered in Java, Bali and Lombok. Locally produced palm spirits – “arak” – often contain harmful amounts of methanol, and this may also be the case for drinks and cocktails offered at local bars and restaurants. Visitors to Indonesia should therefore be cautious when buying and consuming alcohol.
There have been several cases of “spiking” of drinks where victims are subjected to robbery or sexual abuse. Particularly vulnerable are the Kuta area of ​​Bali, and the Gili Islands of Lombok where many tourists and students travel.

Corruption and prosecution:Indonesia practices the death penalty for several types of crimes, including drug offenses. Foreign nationals have also been executed in recent years for drug offenses.
Corruption is a pervasive problem in the country, which also includes the police and the judiciary.

It should be noted that libel and blasphemy paragraphs in Indonesia are in active use and that longer prison sentences are occurring. No one has been acquitted of blasphemy for the past 30 years, while over a hundred have been convicted.

In several regions, there is increasing negative awareness around and persecution of sexual minorities. Although there is currently no prohibition on sexual acts between people of the same sex, there are still actions especially against gays and transgender people where police and local activists are behind.

Travel and traffic: Traffic, especially in Jakarta and other major cities, is demanding, and many foreigners choose to hire their own driver. The country has left-hand traffic. If you choose to drive yourself, you must have an international driver’s license. Taxiing is generally safe if you use the large and reputable taxi companies. These have their own counters at international airports and are given special treatment at larger hotels and malls.

Indonesia has frequent flights and ferries between the different islands. In Java you can also travel by train. However, there have been several serious accidents involving trains, ferries and aircraft, which are often due to old equipment, poor maintenance and inadequate safety routines. Different ferry companies have very different security routines/standards and travelers are advised to consider different options online before purchasing tickets.

Swimming: Many people travel to Indonesia to visit beautiful beaches. Please note that some areas have very large waves and strong currents. There are also very few qualified bodyguards available, even at the busiest tourist beaches. Be careful about bathing on beaches where there are big waves. Never bathe in the dark, and never alone.

Areas with special security concerns: The security situation in the provinces of Papua and Aceh is more challenging than the rest of Indonesia. For travel to these areas, one should examine the situation especially before arrival, and exercise caution while traveling.
The security situation in Papua provinces is relatively unstable. Demonstrations for increased self-government or independence from Indonesia occur, these demonstrations sometimes develop into violent clashes. Travelers are asked to stay away from political markings, demonstrations and large crowds. There are regular meetings between security forces and the local separatist movement. In the area near the Freeport mine at Timika there are shooting episodes, there have also been cases where foreigners have been kidnapped.

Parts of Papua provinces are tourist destinations, and most trips to these areas are usually problematic. For travel with tourist purposes outside Jayapura, Sentani, Sorong, Manokwari and Biak, in some cases it may be necessary to obtain a travel permit (Surat Jalan). This is arranged locally with the police, a local travel agency can usually help with this. When traveling to Papua and West Papua where tourism is not the purpose, one must have the permission of the police before arrival. Journalists and other media professionals should pay special attention to this. Due to large distances and challenging infrastructure, medical evacuation can be difficult and time-consuming.

The province of Aceh has an extensive degree of self-government, which includes a local penal code based on Sharia. Both police and private individuals will report physical closeness between unmarried (both heterosexual and gay), where homosexuality is punished by up to 100 whips. Sales and consumption of alcohol and gambling are prohibited, even for non-Muslims.

Major Landmarks in Indonesia

Entry

As a result of the coronavirus situation, Indonesian authorities have imposed a temporary entry ban on all foreigners from April 2. Only a few categories have exceptions, such as people with residence permits (carriers of Kitas and Kipas). The end date for the provision is not set.

From April 24 to June 1, most commercial flights to and from Indonesia are suspended. The same goes for domestic flights. Similar suspension measures have been introduced for passenger transport by boat and train, but there may be regional differences.

It should be noted that, due to the corona situation, Jakarta and a number of other cities and provinces have imposed strict restrictions on local transport, including cars and buses. In many places, roadblocks manned by police or military will be set up. The duration of the measures may vary regionally. The embassy encourages Norwegians to follow the advice and information given by local authorities.

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

In practice, emergency passports cannot be used when entering Indonesia. For travelers using travel documents other than a regular passport, it is recommended that you contact your nearest Indonesian Embassy well in advance of your scheduled trip. It should be noted that the wrong type of visa, for example. work or journalistic activity in the country, in some cases may result in the arrest of the police and fines, imprisonment or deportation.

It is the traveler himself who is responsible for ensuring that travel documents, visas etc. are valid. Only the Jakarta Embassy has the authority to issue passports/emergency passports. The consulates in Medan and Bali can complete emergency passports, but the processing time for this is considerable.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Indonesian authorities have informed a number of confirmed cases and deaths from coronaviruses. The likelihood of infection is increasing and the opportunities for testing are limited. If you become ill as a result of coronavirus, the treatment options, including hospital treatment, will be of a much lower standard than in Norway.

There is considerable uncertainty related to the departure possibilities of scheduled flights. Indonesian authorities have introduced a number of far-reaching measures to reduce the spread of the virus, including school closures, cancellation of events, restrictions on public transport, closure of tourist attractions and advice on avoiding public gatherings. Local authorities have in some places introduced measures – such as partially or completely road closures.

Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of how the situation is developing. The situation can change quickly. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and directions.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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Health care in Indonesia is generally not of a standard that one is used to in Norway. Before traveling, it is strongly recommended to check information at the Institute of Public Health and possibly the World Health Organization.

Many hospitals maintain a significantly lower standard than in Norway. There can be a big difference between public and private hospitals. In severe cases, it is recommended to evacuate to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Australia in many cases. Check with your travel insurance about the rules and policies that apply.

Take out insurance before you travel: To cover expenses in the event of an accident, illness or death, it is recommended to take out private travel and health insurance before leaving. You should check what is included to make sure it covers the type of activities you plan to do as well as the period you plan to travel. Good travel insurance will cover, among other things, expenses related to injuries, accidents, illness, home transport and death. Many hospitals will require proof of travel insurance or financing before treatment.

Vaccines: See recommendations from the National Institute of Public Health for vaccination when traveling and staying in Indonesia.

Malaria occurs in parts of Indonesia, including the provinces of Papua, West Papua, the Moluccas, the Northern Moluccas and Nusa Tenggara. Malaria can also occur in other areas of the country, but is not very widespread in the major cities. Jakarta and Bali are considered mainly free of malaria. You can read the Public Health Institute’s malaria guide on their websites.

Dengue fever, chikungunya fever and zika fever can occur throughout the country and it is recommended to use mosquito protection, even during the day. See information from the National Institute of Public Health for advice to travelers to countries with cases of zika.

In March 2019, the Institute of Public Health reports that Indonesia is on the list of countries at risk of polio. You can read more about polio on the pages of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

In 2018, Indonesian authorities announced an ongoing outbreak of diphtheria in the country and are advising all travelers to vaccinate.

It is confirmed that there is a danger of rabies, also in Bali. Deaths after rabies infection have occurred. Visitors are generally encouraged to avoid any direct contact with dogs, cats, monkeys and other animals. In case of bites or scratches, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible, even if you are vaccinated.

Traveling with medicine: If you bring prescription medicine to Indonesia, bring a copy of the prescription. The prescription should match the type and amount of medicine you are taking. Medicines that are common and legal in Norway may be illegal in Indonesia. If in doubt, it is recommended that you contact the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo.

Climate and hygiene: Be prepared for hot and humid climate. Use sunscreen with high sun factor. The most common challenge for visitors is stomach problems. Tap water should not be drunk. Only drink bottled water and check that the seal on the bottle is complete. Avoid ice cubes if in doubt if these are made from bottled water. Avoid raw foods and be careful with fish and meat that are not well cooked. Poorly washed lettuce is also a common source of disease. If you have a fever, it is recommended to see a doctor.

Practical information

Possession of any drug is strictly prohibited and severely punished. Drug offenses can result in the death penalty and executions.

Indonesia’s time difference extends over three time zones, from GMT + 7 to GMT + 9. Jakarta is six hours ahead of Norway in winter, but five hours when it is summertime in Europe. Bali, which is even further east, is another hour ahead of Norwegian time.

The current is 220 volts. The sockets are basically like in Norway.

Emergency telephone to the police is 112.

According to allcitycodes, international dialing code for Indonesia is + 62. There are two nationwide mobile networks: Satelindo and Telkom, but there are also many other telecommunications companies with varying degrees of coverage.

Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most cities and major tourist destinations, and can be used to withdraw local currency from ATMs. Credit card fraud and bank card skimming are unfortunately not uncommon.

Local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Banknotes have denominations of 1000 to 100,000 rupiah, coins of 100 to 1000. 100,000 IDR is about NOK 60. Updated course can be found here.

The work week for, among other things, public offices and banks is from Monday to Friday. On the street and other public places, your clothes should cover your shoulders and navel. What is good clothing varies widely from place to place in the country.

It is forbidden to photograph military facilities and their surroundings.

Indonesian is an official language, but for many Indonesians this is a second language in addition to their local mother tongue. In some places, especially in Bali and Jakarta, many also speak English.

Foreigners must be able to identify themselves on request, especially on suspicion that the person is not in the country as a tourist. Passports should therefore be brought.

During Ramadan, the Muslim part of the population is fasting. Some restaurants and night spots have reduced opening hours and serving hours during this period.

The Embassy recommends all travelers and resident Norwegians in Indonesia to register on reiseregistrering.no.

The embassy has opening hours from 08: 30-16: 00 on weekdays and can be reached by phone: +62 21 2965 0000 and email: emb.jakarta@mfa.no

Inquiries outside opening hours will be transferred to the UD’s operational center in Oslo, which is open 24 hours a day. They can also be reached at: Tel: +47 23 95 00 00 or by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no,

The Bali Consulate is open 10am to 1pm Tuesday and Thursday and can be reached by phone: +62 361 2822 23 and email: norwegianconsulatebali@yahoo.com