THE country is lifting its outdoor mask mandate because the Covid-19 outbreak is increasing under control, said President Joko Widodo.

However, a mask mandate remains in place for indoor activities and public transportation.

Widodo also said all fully vaccinated travellers would no longer be required to undergo Covid-19 tests to enter Indonesia.

The announcements came two weeks after millions of Indonesians celebrated the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan by travelling to see their families, ending two years of pandemic restrictions and travel curbs.

New Covid-19 infections have continued to decline, prompting the government to relax its mask policy.

“When people are doing outdoor activities, or in open areas that are not crowded with people, then they are allowed not to wear masks,” Widodo said in a televised address.

In March, Indonesia lifted quarantine requirements for overseas visitors, joining a number of regional countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.

The country has largely recovered since an Omicron-driven surge peaked at around 64,700 cases a day in mid-February.

New confirmed daily infections have fallen to around 200, and about 80% of the eligible population of 208 million have been fully vaccinated.

The government has already lifted many restrictions on social mobility that have been in place for two years.

 - AP