Christmas And New Year's Holidays Are PCR Mandatory Again? Task Force: Wait For The Next Decision

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, asked the public to wait for further decisions regarding the news of the mandatory return to PCR testing during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

"Regarding the policy decision on testing for requirements ahead of Christmas and New Year, please wait for the next decision which will be regulated in the task force circular later," Wiku said in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, November 9.

The news regarding the mandatory PCR was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Luhut admitted that the government was considering re-implementing the mandatory PCR test requirements for travellers.

"We are currently evaluating whether the detention of population mobility will be re-implemented by the PCR implementation. We are currently reviewing that," said Luhut, Monday, November 8.

Previously, the mandatory PCR requirement had been applied in air travel. However, in the next few days, the government removed this requirement and again allowed travelers to use an antigen test as a condition of travel.

Therefore, Luhut asked the public to understand the changes in the rules in restricting mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Especially now that community mobility has increased again due to the loosening of PPKM leveling. Also, the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant with the Delta Plus type in neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore must be anticipated.

"Don't friends think that we are inconsistent. But we are calculating the movement of people and the increase in cases. This is now like science and art. So, deciding this is like a military operation. We will see carefully," explained Luhut.

"So, don't think anywhere, 'how does this change', it's not like that," he added.