Now The Requirements For Flights Outside Java-Bali Can Use Antigen Test

ILLUSTRATION/BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) through the Directorate General of Air Transportation has issued the latest regulations regarding the requirements for flights between regions outside Java and Bali to show negative RT-PCR results (maximum 3x24 hour sample) or negative RT-antigen results (maximum 1x24 hour sample).

The Director-General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation Novie Riyanto said this rule was contained in the Circular Letter (SE) of the Minister of Transportation Number 93 of 2021.

"This new SE is effective from October 28, 2021," he said, quoted by Antara, Friday, October 29.

The latest SE regulates flight conditions within Java-Bali as well as from and to Java-Bali with the provisions, first, that you must show a vaccine card (at least the first dose). Second, showing negative RT-PCR information (maximum sample 3x24 hours), before departure.

As for flights between regions outside Java and Bali, prospective travelers are required to first show a vaccine card (at least the first dose). Second, showing a negative RT-PCR result (maximum sample 3x24 hours) or negative RT-antigen result (maximum sample 1x24 hours), before departure.

The issuance of this new rule remains in an effort to prevent the spread and increase in the transmission of COVID-19.

"So the goal is to protect us all from exposure to COVID-19. However, there are exceptions for the obligation to show a vaccine card with provisions that still refer to SE 88/2021," he said.

The first exception, he said, was for travelers under the age of 12. Second, for those who have special health conditions with the requirements that they must attach a doctor's certificate from a government hospital, stating that they have not and/or cannot participate 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.

In the first exception, he said, children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by their parents or family.

"The proof is by showing a Family ID Certificate (KK), and fulfilling the COVID-19 test requirements according to the regional regulations," said Novie.

During the implementation of the latest SE, he said, the passenger capacity for single-aisle aircraft (narrow-body aircraft) and wide-body aircraft (wide-body aircraft), could be more than 70 percent of the load factor.

"It's just that air transportation operators are still required to provide three rows of seats, which are designated as quarantined areas for passengers who are indicated to have COVID-19 symptoms," said Director General Novie.

The airport terminal capacity is set at a maximum of 70 percent of the number of busy time passengers (PWS) during normal times.

"We continue to appeal to the public, flight service users and also operators of aviation facilities and infrastructure, to maintain strict health protocols. Let's together prevent the spread of COVID-19," he said.

He added that the latest SE is an amendment to the SE Number SE 88/2021 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of Domestic Travel by Air Transportation during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period, and refers to the Second Addendum of the SE Task Force (Satgas) for Handling COVID-19 Number 21/2021.