After all the dramas that happened before our departure, we started our last day in Lund by having a quick breakfast in Lundia Hotel and doing the last checking. Around 10.45am we checked out from the hotel. The taxi that we booked had been waiting outside. We quickly loaded it with our luggages, and just like the Leaving on a Jet Plane song, when all the bags were packed and we were ready to go, it was hard for us to say goodbye. But it’s not until we crossed the Øresund Bridge that my husband and I finally cried in silence.
We cried over all the memories that we had in Sweden that were suddenly replayed in our minds. We cried over the fact that everything happened for a reason.
If there’s no train disruption, we would not bother to book a taxi to go to Copenhagen Airport. If we didn’t book the taxi, we wouldn’t have the experience to cross the Øresund Bridge that connects Sweden and Denmark and the famous setting of one of our favourite TV series: The Bridge. If we took the train like we always did, we wouldn’t have a chance to look behind and say goodbye to Sweden from the rear window right when we’re entering Denmark.
But enough melancholy for now, let’s talk about paperworks that might be more useful for you 🙂
Travel Requirements
The documents that were needed for this relocation were quite many. It actually depends on your travel destination and the country of origin. For Indonesian passport holders traveling to Indonesia from European countries, all travellers (vaccinated and unvaccinated) must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued by the country of origin for a test performed within a maximum of 72 hours before departure when entering the country (last updated 4 September 2021). A test certificate issued outside of Indonesia is accepted as long as it is in English.
At first, it seems like a standard requirement. But the problem is, unlike many other countries in Europe that doesn’t recommend the test for kids under 6 years of age, the Indonesian government requires people of ALL AGE to be tested. So it was a bit hard to find a test provider who’s willing to perform PCR Test for kids. Luckily, we found an information about Alpha Covid Test in Lund so I sent them an email to ask if they could do a PCR test to my 2.5 year old daughter. When they answered “yes”, it was beyond relief for me.
I had heard stories about people who traveled to Indonesia with kids and they had a problem either during check in or on arrival due to the lack of PCR Certificate for kids, so I wanted to make sure that we wouldn’t experience the same thing even though holding your kid when the samples were taken was no fun at all.
In addition to the COVID-19 PCR test certificate , you also need to provide the vaccine certificate (Indonesia citizens are still permitted to enter the country without being fully vaccinated but will be vaccinated upon completion of their quarantine), the proof that you have downloaded and filled out the e-HAC Indonesia (Indonesia Health Alert Card) application (it’s now connected with the other app PeduliLindungi for data security reasons), and a signed and completed consent form from Qatar Airways (if you fly with them).
On Board & Transit Experience
We never flew Qatar Airways before, but we heard many positive reviews about them especially in regards to COVID-19 handling. So when it was time for us to decide which airlines we were going to book, we already had Qatar Airways in the top priority. And we didn’t regret our decision. The flights were quite smooth, especially the one from Copenhagen to Doha. The one from Doha from Jakarta had a turbulence before landing but it was mild compare to our experience 3 years back when we flew from Dubai to Jakarta.
They take precautions quite seriously. Masks are worn the whole time except when eating (we wore face shield when it’s meal time just for the peace of mind 😀 ), and they continuously reminded passenger to do so. If you forgot to bring your own masks and hand sanitiser, don’t worry, they hand out sanitary kit before take off.
The services were also excellent. The foods were tasty. The on board entertainment was good and the crew was really helpful. Another good thing was, because there’s a rule to have one empty seat in between selected seats, we ended up having 6 seats in a row for four of us which is really good when you travel with kids!
We had 3 hours transit in Doha and we didn’t look around to be honest because we were not in the mood of sightseeing or shopping. But in a glance, the airport looked clean and was easy to navigate around. The facilities were also good so in general it was a nice stopover.
This journey was actually the very first long flight for K and I was worried that she would be cranky or bored. To my surprise, she was happy, and even slept for almost the whole flight from Doha to Jakarta.
Welcome to Indonesia
On Monday afternoon, we finally arrived in the capital of Indonesia. There were step by step that we needed to follow as part of the new protocol. First and foremost, we needed to be always in a group with only the passengers from the same flight. The COVID-19 Satgas (Task Force) will guide you to the assigned location where you need to fill the health declaration form. At this point, they usually check your temperature and ask your general health condition. But it can be just a self assessment as well. Once you’ve finished this procedure you show the completed form to the Satgas, show your e-HAC certificate, and then proceed to another check.
In the next counter, you will be asked to show your vaccine certificate (if you have one already), the COVID-19 PCR negative test certificate, and the health declaration form. The officer will then give you a stamp on your health declaration form if every requirement is met.
From here, you go to the immigration counter, then baggage collection, and then there would be another COVID-19 task force who asks if you have want to do the 8 days mandatory quarantine in a hotel or in the government facilities (Wisma Atlet). The lane would be different but both would lead you to the custom declaration. If they give you green light, you will then arrive in the hall to be picked up by the hotel service or Wisma Atlet service.
After that, it’s a matter of waiting time, and then, the quarantine begun.
-To be continued-
Hayu Hamemayu 
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