Comparing Watching Cinemas That Doesn't Need PCR Test, Doctor Tirta: The Transmission Of COVID On Airplanes Is The Lowest

Illustration of an airplane (Photo by Dominik Scythe on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Doctor Tirta criticized the regulation that passengers who want to fly must include a COVID-19 free letter referring to the PCR test swab. Doctor Tirta then compared it to being allowed to go back to watching movies in the cinema.

Quoted from the klikdokter website, Sebastian Hoehl of the Institute for Medical Virology at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany, said that currently airlines already have good procedures to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus on board.

Likewise with Dr. Dyah Novita Anggraini, who said that airplanes are the safest mode of transportation to use during the pandemic. As long as you consistently wear a mask, the risk of contracting COVID-19 on an airplane is very low.

Moreover, most aircraft are equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. This object can capture more than 99 percent of particles in the air, including the microorganism SARS-CoV-2 aka the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. When the HEPA filter is in operation, the aircraft will carry outside air up and down 20 to 30 times per hour.

"Because it's a bit strange, why only plane that requires a PCR swab test?," tweeted doctor Tirta.

"Even cinemas, which have a higher risk of transmission have been opened, you just have to get vaccinated twice and check-in at PeduliLindungi app. Meanwhile, you must have PCR test result if you're going on an airplane," he said.

Complete Rules of Mandatory PCR on Airplane

The Directorate General of Air Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation has issued the latest flight rules through Circular Letter Number 88 of 2021 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of Domestic Travel by Air Transportation during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

With the existence of this Circular (SE), the previous circulars, namely SE 62/2021 and SE 70/2021 are revoked and declared invalid.

"SE Number 88/2021 is effective starting October 24, 2021," said Director General of Civil Aviation Novie Riyanto as quoted by Antara, Friday, October 22.

Novie said the issuance of the SE No. 88/21 refers to the SE Task Force (Satgas) for Handling COVID-19 No. 21/2021, Instructions from the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) No. 53/2021, and Inmendagri No. 54/2021.

In the latest SE, flights from or to airports on Java and Bali islands, between cities on Java and Bali islands, as well as areas with Level 4 and 3 community activity restrictions (PPKM) categories, must show a vaccine card (at least the first dose of vaccination) and a negative certificate RT-PCR maximum 2x24 hours before departure.

Meanwhile, for flights from and to airports outside Java and Bali with Level 1 and 2 PPKM categories, it is mandatory to show a certificate of negative RT-PCR results (maximum 2x24 hours sample) or negative RT-antigen results (maximum sample 1x24 hours ), before departure.

Novie explained that there are a number of exceptions to the obligation to show a vaccine card. The first exception is for travelers under the age of 12 (twelve) years.

Second, perpetrators who have special health conditions with requirements are required to attach a doctor's certificate from a government hospital stating that they have not and/or are unable to take part in the COVID-19 vaccination.

Third, pioneering air transportation and air transportation flights in 3TP areas (lagging, leading, outermost and border areas), the implementation of which is adjusted to the conditions of each region.