Message From The COVID-19 Task Force: Although PCR Test Prices Drop, Mobility Should Be Controlled

Illustration (Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, asked the public to respond responsibly to reducing the price of COVID-19 tests.

He asked the public not to take this opportunity to travel frequently if they do not have an urgent need. As is known, the PCR test is one of the requirements for long-distance travellers.

"The public is requested to follow up on changes in PCR prices responsibly. Mobility is not prohibited, but it should be controlled according to the level of importance or urgency," Wiku said in a Youtube video broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat, quoted on Friday, August 20.

Wiku also explained that in the financing of PCR testing there are several components that are covered, for example reagents for extraction, PCR reagents, equipment maintenance and operational costs, including human resources in the laboratory.

Then, some of them are classified as imported goods that receive special taxes related to medical equipment and materials.

"Apart from some of the details of these costs, the government is committed to making the price of PCR testing an increasingly affordable gold standard method, especially in the context of tracking positive cases and close contacts," he explained.

Previously, the Ministry of Health set the highest tariff reduction for the PCR test fee of IDR 495,000 in Java-Bali and IDR 525 thousand outside Java-Bali.

Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Abdul Kadir, said that all health care facilities that provide paid PCR must comply with this rule. Kadir asked the local Health Office to oversee its implementation.

"We ask for this supervision to be carried out by the provincial health office, district and city health offices. We hope that all of us follow, have good intentions to follow this rule," said Kadir on Monday, August 16.

Kadir said that the Regional Health Offices were also asked to impose sanctions if there were health service facilities that violated the new PCR tariff rules.

"The authority to impose sanctions is given to the respective district/city health offices," he said.