Indonesia earmarks $1.1 billion for coronavirus response

Indonesia is reallocating a total of 17.17 trillion rupiah ($1.13 billion) from the 2020 state budget for coronavirus response, its finance minister said on Wednesday, after the Southeast Asian country reported 172 COVID-19 cases.

The sum was initially earmarked for non-priority spending, such as overseas business trips, and projects that have now been delayed, Sri Mulyani Indrawati told an online news conference.

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She also said the government's revenue collection was under pressure with income from the natural resources sector falling sharply.

Therapists wear face masks wait in a hall amid concerns over coronavirus in Jakarta on Wednesday. Adek Berry/AFP

Meanwhile, Indonesia will prohibit the entry and transit of visitors from six European countries plus Iran from March 20 due to coronavirus concerns, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

For the next month, all travellers who wish to visit Indonesia will also have to obtain a health certificate from their home countries and must apply for a visa from Indonesian missions, the ministry said in a statement.

Restrictions for travellers from China and South Korea's Daegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do province remain in place, the ministry said.

Reuters