Passengers must undergo an RT-PCR test in the country of departure and then do the test again upon arrival in Indonesia.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Director General of Civil Aviation at the Transportation Ministry Novie Riyanto stressed the importance of RT-PCR testing for travelers from abroad as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 cases from overseas.
"This is very important in order to ensure that Indonesian citizens and foreigners entering Indonesia are not potential carriers or imported cases and to prevent the entry of new COVID-19 variants," Riyanto noted in a statement received here on Saturday.
He called on Indonesians and foreigners keen on entering Indonesia to follow the central government's regulations that comprises undergoing PCR testing, getting complete vaccination doses, and adhering to all health protocols. The protocols include getting a PCR test at the airport on arrival and undergoing a five-day quarantine.
Riyanto noted that the NAAT/RT-PCR at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport was conducted at the arrival hall at Terminal 3.
The Soekarno-Hatta Airport's management has facilitated stakeholders and aircraft passengers to undergo RT-PCR by providing space and requisite facilities.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, with the situation worsening with the surfacing of the Mu and Lambda variants of the virus in several countries.
In a bid to control and prevent imported cases of COVID-19, including the new variant, Indonesia is currently enforcing health protocols for international travellers.
According to the Circular Letter of the Minister of Transportation Number 85 of 2021 on Guidelines for International Travel by Air Transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic that came into effect from October 13, 2021, one of the health protocols entails that airplane passengers from abroad keen on visiting Indonesia must have received complete doses of vaccination.
In addition, passengers on planes to Indonesia as the destination are still required to get an RT-PCR test for which the sample is taken 3 x 24 hours before departure.
Related news: Indonesia committed to supporting SDGs: Minister Sumadi
In order to determine the health status of international travelers while leaving the airport, an isothermal molecular test (NAAT/other types) is conducted whose results can be known in an hour or an RT-PCR test at the arrival airport in Indonesia.
In line with the effort, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, one of the designated entry points for international flights, has prepared a NAAT/RT-PCR test facility for airplane passengers from abroad that have just landed.
Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Class I Port Health Office (KKP Ministry of Health) Dr Darmawali Handoko noted that the COVID-19 tests undergone by airplane passengers before departing and upon arrival in Indonesia can help in tackling COVID-19 in the country.
"Passengers must undergo an RT-PCR test in the country of departure and then do the test again upon arrival in Indonesia. This is an effort, so that we can anticipate, dispel, and handle appropriately if there are imported cases of COVID-19 to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia,” Handoko noted.
Related news: Minister Sumadi reviews readiness of NTT's first logistics terminal
During the pandemic, domestic and international travel could not be undertaken as was earlier normally done, Handoko stated.
Health protocols were set up as a precautionary measure against the spread of the virus.
He also stated that by following health protocols, airplane passengers had participated in efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.
"We express our gratitude for the willingness of passengers on international routes to follow health protocols while landing at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, including conducting COVID-19 tests. By following health protocols, international passengers will partake in efforts to control COVID-19," he explained.
Executive General Manager at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Agus Haryadi noted that flight operational arrangements were also made to prevent crowding of passengers at the testing point.
"Arrangements for flight arrivals and the flow of international passenger arrivals are conducted in coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure that COVID-19 testing at the international arrival hall of Terminal 3 can be conducted smoothly, and passengers do not (have to) wait too long to take tests and find out the test results," Haryadi added.
Related news: President Jokowi encourages SOEs to partner with global firms
Related news: VP Amin greets students at state elementary school in Papua
Translator: Adimas R F P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
