PCR Validity Period For Airplane Passengers Extended To 3 Days

ILLUSTRATION/BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 Handling Task Force has increased the duration of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for domestic airplane travelers to 3x24 hours.

"The PCR which used to be valid for 2x24 hours has changed to 3x24 hours," said Head of the Health Handling Division of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Brigadier General (Ret.) Alexander Ginting, quoted by Antara, Thursday, October 28.

According to Alexander, this provision is contained in the Second Addendum to the Circular Letter of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force No. 21 of 2021 regarding the Domestic Travel Protocol (PPDN) which was signed by the Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Lieutenant General Ganip Warsito today.

"The policy is based on input and evaluation regarding the limitations of PCR outside Java and Bali," he said.

Alexander said the changes were made to the protocol section number 3 item c.bis with the addition of a choice of 1x24 hour rapid antigen testing requirements in addition to 3x24 hour RT-PCR for inter-district or inter-city trips outside the Java and Bali islands.

Alexander ensured that the policy regarding antigen test requirements for domestic travelers did not change. "There is no change for the rapid antigen test," he said.

The addendum, said Alexander, is a derivative of the issuance of the Minister of Home Affairs Instruction No. 55 of 2021 concerning the Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM).

"The Second Addendum to this Circular Letter is effective starting October 28, 2021, and will be evaluated further as needed," he said.