KSP Monitors Discussion And Issuance Of International Vaccine Certificates

KSP Main Experts Fadjar Dwi Wishnuwardhani/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) initiates and oversees the stages of discussion until the issuance of international vaccine certificates for Foreign Travel Actors (PPLN) and Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI).

"The discussion of Indonesia's internationally recognized vaccine certificate or international vaccine certificate has been carried out since May 2021," said KSP Main Expert Staff Fadjar Dwi Wishnuwardhani in a written statement from KSP in Jakarta, Saturday, February 5.

Fadjar explained that the discussion on international vaccines began when KSP facilitated a meeting of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker), and representatives of prospective Indonesian migrant workers (CPMI) in early May 2021.

"At that time, discussions related to PCR tests for CPMI who would depart through the IJEPA (Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement), and the recognition of vaccines and PCR tests for COVID-19 which were recognized by the Japanese government," he explained.

Since the meeting, said Fadjar, there have been parallel discussions regarding the implementation of the evaluation of tests and vaccines for CPMI, as well as resolving the problem (debottlenecking) of vaccine certificates on protected care applications that are not recognized and cannot be read by other countries.

"The meeting recommended to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Manpower to take steps where Indonesia's COVID-19 vaccine certificate can follow WHO standards, and can be read and recognized by other countries," he said.

Fadjar said KSP wanted to encourage international COVID-19 vaccine certificates because the recognition of Indonesian vaccine certificates was very important for all Indonesian citizens traveling abroad, whether as representatives of the government, migrant workers, businessmen, students, or tourist destinations.

Meanwhile, the General Chair of the Association of Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (Aspataki) Saiful Mahfud expressed his appreciation to the government, particularly KSP and the Ministry of Health, for the successful launch of internationally recognized vaccine certificates.

"With the issuance of international vaccine certificates, PMI placement can run again," he said as quoted from KSP's written statement.

The Ministry of Health has previously issued international vaccine certificates in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) standards, so that they can be read and recognized abroad, including the quick response (QR) code listed in it.

The certificate that can be downloaded on the CareProtective application can be used by Overseas Travelers (PPLN) such as Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) or Umrah & Hajj performers as proof that they have received complete primary vaccinations.