In this country, many airlines have to lay off their employees because they run out of income. Even Garuda Indonesia's debt restructuring efforts have been hampered due to the lack of flight activity during this pandemicJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian House of Representatives' Commission V member Neng Eem Marhamah Zulfah has rejected Home Affairs Minister's Instruction (Inmendagri) Number 53 of 2021 on enforcing Community Activities Restrictions (PPKM) Levels 3, 2, and 1 in Java and Bali.
As stipulated in the instruction, all aircraft passengers are required to undergo a PCR test 2x24 hours before departure.
Zulfah noted that the Inmendagri is a step backward amid efforts being made to drive economic revival in the country.
"The PCR test requirement for airplane passengers, as stated in the Inmendagri, is a step in the backward direction in our efforts to pursuing a new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic," Zulfah noted in a statement received on Thursday.
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Strict restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic in the past year had hit the global aviation industry, including in the country, she pointed out.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) noted that the global aviation industry had suffered losses to the tune of Rp2.867 trillion over the course of a year and a half, or was equivalent to nine years of collective income for the global aviation industry.
"In this country, many airlines have to lay off their employees because they run out of income. Even Garuda Indonesia's debt restructuring efforts have been hampered due to the lack of flight activity during this pandemic," she explained.
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As Indonesia experiences a decline in cases, the government should utilize this momentum as a revival for the aviation industry in the country along with massive vaccinations and the use of the PeduliLindungi application, she emphasized.
Zulfah also recommended that the PCR test should be eliminated as a requirement for prospective airplane passengers.
"PCR test is one of the aspects that hinders the number of airplane passengers from increasing during this pandemic," she remarked.
Although the government had regulated the upper limit for the PCR test price, some people still found it expensive as the price could be 50 percent of the plane ticket's cost. Consequently, several prospective passengers opt for other modes of transportation, Zulfah noted.
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She also questioned the emergence of the PCR test requirements in Inmendagri Number 53 of 2021 that differed from those in Inmedagri Number 47 of 2021.
The earlier Inmendagri stated that fully vaccinated airplane passengers are required to provide a negative result of a rapid antigen test and passengers with the first dose of vaccination should bring the negative result of the PCR test. The requirements were removed in the updated Inmendagri.
"We do not want this new mandatory PCR test rule that is perceived as the government's alignment with the PCR test providers. Do not allow business interests to crop up during matters related to PCR for airplane passengers," she stated.
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Translator: Benardy F, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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