COVID-19: Indonesia to ban entry from 6 European countries and Iran

Indonesia on March 17 anunced that it will prohibit entry and transit of visitors from six European nations and Iran starting from March 20 over coronavirus concerns, international media reported citing country’s foreign ministry.  ministry in a statement said, “For next month, all travelers who wish to visit Indonesia will also have to obtain a health certificate from ir home countries and must apply for a visa from Indonesian missions." It added that restrictions for travellers from China and South Korea's Daegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do province remain in place. 

Bans export of masks

anuncement comes just a few days after Indonesian Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto anunced that his country will temporarily ban export of face masks in order to safeguard supply in domestic market. Prices of face masks and hand sanitizers skyrocketed after people started stockpiling protective supplies in several parts of country. Agus Suparmanto said that Indonesia will start exporting face masks in future when re is adequate supply for domestic consumers. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati during same press conference said that finance ministry will provide necessary funds for handling of COVID-19 in country. 

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Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati during same press conference said that finance ministry will provide necessary funds for handling of COVID-19 in country. This comes as infected cases rose to 172 cases and death toll rose to five on March 17 due to virus. 

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Meanwhile, Work Health Organisation (WHO) regional office on March 17 said that re is a need for bold measures in all European countries. While speaking at a press conference, WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge called Europe ‘epicenter’ of coronavirus pandemic. Previously, WHO Director-General had also called Europe epicenter as more cases were being reported every day in continent than y were in China. 

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