President Director Of Garuda: We Follow Luhut's Rules For The H-2 Swab Test Before Visiting Bali

President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Irfan Everyutra. (Photo: Instagram @setiaputrairfan)

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Irfaniaputra, stated that regarding a special regulation requiring passengers to first have a H-2 swab or swab test before going on vacation to Bali, his party is still waiting for instructions for implementing the policy. However, he admitted that Garuda Indonesia would still follow this policy.

"We Garuda always adhere to government regulations. We don't want to hurt our people at all. We also won't make any use of the existing rules," Irfan said in a virtual Garuda Indonesia public expose, Tuesday, December 15.

Irfan understands this policy, because it is done to prevent the spread of COVID-19 which is getting worse. However, Irfan ensured that health protocols would still be tightened to passengers from before and while on the plane.

"Although there were some minor commotion between cabin crew and passengers, we have the principle that masks are an obligation. I am quite sure that those who decide to take Garuda know exactly the process. Not only on the plane but during activities," he added.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said there were special regulations for people who wanted a year-end vacation to Bali.

The public is required to include the results of the H-2 swab or swab test before departure by plane.

"We ask that tourists who are boarding a plane to Bali must take the PCR H-2 test before their flight to Bali and require the H-2 rapid antigen test before land travel to Bali," said Luhut in a written statement.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

To regulate the mechanism, Luhut asked the Minister of Health, the Head of BNPB and the Minister of Transportation to immediately regulate the procedures related to the regulation.

"I ask that today the SOP for the use of the antigen rapid test will be completed immediately," he said.