However, those who are unable to self-isolate at home have to consider other places to stay.

Jakarta resident Rahma Yulianti did just that following her arrival from Russia on March 26. Instead of coming home, she chose to self-quarantine at an apartment that she rented from her friend’s friend.

“I’d prefer to stay at home [than stay at the apartment], but I still live with my mother and I read that older adults are more vulnerable to COVID-19,” Rahma told The Jakarta Post on Thursday, adding that the apartment was located not far from her home.

Rahma said her friend’s friend and the management of the apartment knew about her situation. During her self-isolation period, she routinely checks her body temperature, wears a mask, washes her hands, sprays disinfectant in her room and soaks up the sun. She also only comes down once a week to receive packages from the security staff.

Aside from apartments, hotels also serve as a sanctuary for those seeking to self-isolate.

Aryaduta Hotel Group, for instance, introduced a special program dubbed Comfort in Self Isolation in late March. Available in Aryaduta Lippo Village in Banten, Aryaduta Medan in North Sumatra and Aryaduta Palembang in South Sumatra, the program enables guests to self-quarantine for around 14 days and includes three meals per day.

Read also: Indonesian hotels offer food delivery service amid COVID-19 spread

“Our staff are well-trained to follow strict protocols regarding physical distancing and hygiene,” said Greg Allan, president of Aryaduta Hotel Group, a Lippo Group company, in a statement. “Implementation of these protocols has been advised by Siloam Hospital Group [also part of Lippo Group] to minimize risk of exposure.”

According to Allan, the staff are prohibited from entering the rooms dedicated to self-isolation nor have they direct contact with the guests. Meals will be delivered to their doors and the hotel areas have also been thoroughly disinfected.

With starting prices from Rp 850,000 (US$51), the program is open to healthy guests who want to self-isolate to ensure they’re not infected.

“[The program caters to] someone who came into contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive but isn’t sick, or someone who had tested negative but is still within the 14-day virus incubation period,” Allan said. “It’s not for those who have been tested positive, with symptoms, or who have been tested and are waiting for the results.”

Valentia Agustadi, group director of sales of Aryaduta Hotel Group, told the Post that the program had received a warm welcome from the guests as they were becoming more aware about isolating themselves. Among them are those who have just returned from overseas and, though they have not shown any symptoms, want to make sure that they are healthy enough before meeting their families.

“We also have other guests who want to self-quarantine as their neighbor has been infected, while they have children and live with older adults. So, they want to stay away from their neighbor for a while,” said Valentia. “At least they feel safe at the hotel because they have minimum contact with other guests and our staff.”

Another establishment that offers a similar program is Gran Puri Manado Hotel in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Dubbed the Self-Isolation Package, the program offers seven-day and 14-day self-isolation packages with starting prices at Rp 4.2 million and Rp 7.8 million, respectively.

According to Tribunnews.com, the program includes three meals per day and coffee breaks. The hotel also provides medical staff and an ambulance in case of emergency, in addition to sanitizers in public areas and routinely being sprayed with disinfectant.

Atria Residences Gading Serpong in South Tangerang, Banten, is also offering a self-isolation program.

Its full-board self-isolation package provides a number of facilities, including a COVID-19 rapid test kit, three meals per day, daily healthy beverages, laundry service and 24-hour on-call doctor service. 

"We provide the COVID-19 rapid test kit as a complimentary [...] which we are doing in collaboration with Bethsaida Hospital," said Johannes Hutauruk, COO of hotel management company Parador, in a statement.  

Guests staying in the air-conditioned one-bedroom suites can expect the place to be sprayed with disinfectant every day, as well as to have high-speed internet, kitchen set, in-room safety box, mini bar, hair dryer, satellite TV and complimentary tea and coffee amenities -- all available for a starting price at Rp 1 million per day with a minimum of two-night stay.

The Grand Palace Hotel is an option for those in East Java’s Malang. 

Arik Abadi, Grand Palace Hotel’s sales marketing officer, said the hotel provided seven-day and 14-day packages.  

For superior rooms, the seven-day package is priced at Rp 1,575,000, while the 14-day is priced at Rp 2,590,000. Deluxe rooms for the seven-day package will cost Rp 1,975,000 while the 14-day is Rp 3,290,000.

Arik said every guest will have their temperature checked and will be provided with hand sanitizer at the entrance and the front office. Rooms are cleaned with disinfectant after every check out. 

If a guest exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, the hotel will recommend that the guest go to the nearest hospital. 

Whiz Prime Hotel Basuki Rahmat in Malang also provides self-isolation packages, priced at Rp 3 million for 14 days and Rp 1.5 million for seven days. Facilities include 3 liters of mineral water, breakfast, jamu (traditional herbal drink) and high-speed Wi-Fi. 

Manager Azis Sismono said the hotel provided hand sanitizer and performed temperature checks on all guests. Hotel staff are required to wear masks and gloves, while guests’ luggage will be sprayed with disinfectant. All rooms are sterilized and sprayed with disinfectant after every check out. (kes)

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Nedi Putra AW contributed to this story from Malang.