Whose Ideas Matter? The Changing Meaning of Health Protocols in Indonesia’s Border Management Policies in the Pandemic Era

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affected border management policies by introducing health protocol norms for foreigners entering the country. Although public rhetoric often emphasized the importance of preventing an increase in imported cases, the implementation of health protocols in Indonesian border management policy varied from long quarantine periods during the advent of the pandemic to the easing of border control during the Omicron spike. This paper is focused on the international and domestic dynamics that affected the meaning and implementation of health protocols in Indonesia’s border management policies. It was found that, although international health norms served as initial guidance for health protocols at the start of the pandemic, their influence faded over time as they did not align with the national agenda, which prioritized economic growth. Therefore, after successfully adapting to the pandemic, the president and his elite circle redefined health protocols to favor the economic recovery process.