Aviation Observer: More Strange, PCR Test Is More Mandatory Than Vaccination

Aviation Observer Alvin Lie/Instagram

JAKARTA - Aviation observer Alvin Lie also highlighted the refusal of mandatory PCR tests for airplane passengers. According to him, this is not a new thing because it has already happened when the restrictions on people's mobility were imposed. Even then, he said, the achievement of national vaccination was still very low, especially outside Java and Bali.

"The PCR test is not mandatory now, previously for flights outside Java-Bali it was mandatory to have a PCR test and have been vaccinated," said Alvin Lie to reporters, Friday, October 22.

But the strange thing, continued Alvin, is that if the rules show the results of the PCR test, it is again required when the government announces that the COVID-19 case in Indonesia is under control. In addition, the achievement of vaccination is also claimed to have been more than 50 percent of the expected target.

"Now it's reversed, those who are intra-Java-Bali are required to have a PCR test and have been vaccinated. Previously, those in Java-Bali that had been vaccinated, it was enough for an antigen test, now all of them have to PCR," he said. 53/2021 on PPKM Level 3, 2, and 1 in Java and Bali. All airplane passengers are required to do a PCR test 2x24 hours before departure.

Even more strange, said Alvin, the derivative rules in the Circular of the COVID-19 Task Force Number 21/2021, one of which states that long-distance air, land and sea travelers outside Java and Bali are required to PCR or rapid antigen test. The regulation was copied in SE 88/2021 issued by the Ministry of Transportation.

"There is no obligation to vaccinate. If this is intentional, it means that for the government the PCR test is more important than vaccination, even though what fortifies our bodies is vaccination," concluded Alvin.