Minister Sumadi noted that the mandatory PCR test conducted on international passengers at Soetta Airport would minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission since the tested positive and negative passengers had been segregated at the airport.
"I laud the efforts of Angkasa Pura (AP) II by providing PCR tests at airports as a safeguard mechanism at our international entrances," he stated on Sunday.
However, Sumadi suggested AP II to prepare a special room at the airport to avoid crowds and congregation of passengers undergoing PCR testing and those awaiting the test result.
In accordance with the Circular of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force and the Ministry of Transportation, several health protocols were being implemented for passengers arriving at Soetta Airport as a preventative and precautionary measure against the spread of new variants of COVID-19, including the variant Mu (B.1.621), from entering Indonesia through modes of transportation serving international routes.
Soetta Airport is one of the airports apart from the Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado opened to serve international passengers.
Related news: Soekarno-Hatta Airport wins 2021 COVID-19 Airport Excellence Awards
Meanwhile, to prevent the crowding of international arriving passengers, AP II has provided three holding bays for passengers to undergo PCR test and one waiting bay for passengers to wait for their PCR test results and being processed to the quarantine location.
The holding bay is a room provided for international passengers in a bid to avoid crowds forming to take the PCR examination as well as to maintain health protocols at the airport.
AP II President Director Muhammad Awaluddin remarked that all Soekarno-Hatta Airport stakeholders were striving to consistently implement provisions in the SE of Transportation Ministry Number 74 of 2021.
AP II coordinates with airlines, ground handling staff, and other stakeholders to manage operational aspects in both airlines and terminal parts.
"We will maintain the arrangement of flight slots, aircrafts' parking, and holding bays at Terminal 3 to ensure smooth flow of international arrivals. If necessary, holding bays will be added to ensure that health protocols are maintained," he added. (INE) Related news: Bali's Ngurah Rai airport has imposed PCR test price cap at Rp495,000
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Translator: Adimas R F P, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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