PCR Test Becomes Mandatory Flight Requirement, COVID-19 Task Force: Difficult To Keep Distance On Plane

ILLUSTRATION/UNSPLASH

JAKARTA - The Head of the Public Communications Division of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Hery Trianto, revealed the reason the government decided to use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as a mandatory requirement for flights.

The reason is that travelers using air or plane modes of transportation find it difficult to maintain social distance. The reason is, the plane has been allowed to carry passengers up to 100 percent capacity.

"We know that 100 percent on the plane, in a narrow and closed room, keeping a distance will certainly be difficult", said Hery Trianto in his statement, Sunday, October 24.

He explained that the rules for the PCR test requirements for airplane passengers to Java and Bali are listed in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) Number 53 of 2021 and the Circular Letter of the COVID-19 Task Force Number 21 of 2021.

"So they are at whatever level they are in their respective regions or their respective goals, it is required for a PCR test, yes 2x24 hours", said Hery.

According to him, this policy is in line with the government's decision to allow the air transportation mode to accommodate up to 100 percent of passengers.

"This actually happened in line with the government's decision to allow air transportation modes. This aircraft can accommodate up to 100 percent of passengers. Meanwhile, other modes of transportation, currently only 70 percent are allowed", said Hery.

However, Hery emphasized that this rule does not apply to all parts of Indonesia. In pioneer areas, he said, PCR did not apply as a mandatory requirement due to laboratory limitations.

"While this is because the pandemic is still going on, we are currently in a critical period to contain low-level transmission now, it feels cautious using PCR tests as a condition for this is the right one for now", said Hery.