Attention! Government Removes Mandatory PCR Requirements For Flight Travel

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The government has officially announced the abolition of the mandatory PCR test requirements for flight or air transportation travelers. Thus, the results of the rapid antigen test are again valid as a condition of travel.

This was announced by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy.

"For travel, there will be changes, namely for the Java and Bali regions, air travel no longer requires using PCR tests, but only using antigen tests. The same as what has been applied to areas outside Java, non-Bali," said Muhadjir in a virtual press conference, Monday, November 1.

However, Muhadjir did not explain when this rule would come back into effect, as well as regarding the changes to the rules.

It is known that the mandatory PCR rules apply to passengers on domestic flights in the Java-Bali (Level 1-4 Community Activity Restrictions) and outside Java-Bali (Level 4-3) areas and have been in effect since October 24, 2021.

This rule is contained in the Circular (SE) of the Task Force No. 21 of 2021, Instructions of the Minister of Home Affairs (InMendagri) Number 53 and Number 54 of 2021 and 4 SE from the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) Numbers 86, 87, 88 and 89 of 2021.

The government's excuse is that this step was taken following the anticipation of a new wave of COVID-19. In fact, the mandatory PCR plan as a condition of travel will be extended to all other long-distance transportation modes. The reason is to anticipate a surge in mobility in the Christmas and New Year 2022 period.

However, in recent times, this regulation has sparked criticism from various circles. Until finally, today the government announced that the mandatory requirement for PCR was removed.