With the relaxation of this regulation, we believe we will be able to increase the passenger traffic and aircraft movements at Bali AirportBadung (ANTARA) - State-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura I (AP I) of Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport forecasts the average daily passenger count at the airport to increase after COVID-19 testing is no longer necessitated for domestic travelers (PPDN).
Since March 8, the airport has not required PPDN, who have received the second or third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, to show a negative result of the RT-PCR test or COVID-19 rapid antigen test in accordance with the Circular Letter of the Ministry of Transportation Number 21 of 2022.
"With the relaxation of this regulation, we believe we will be able to increase the passenger traffic and aircraft movements at Bali Airport," Stakeholder Relations Manager of AP I at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Taufan Yudhistira noted on Wednesday.
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With the new regulation in place, the average number of daily passengers at the airport is projected to increase by 20 percent, he stated.
"For now, we have not seen the increase in the number of passengers since the new regulation was only implemented yesterday afternoon. We were certain that in the next two to three days, we can see the positive impact of the policy," he noted.
Yudhistira explained that although the COVID-19 test regulation was revoked, his side still implemented strict health protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially in the airport area.
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He later remarked that passengers, who had only received the first dose of vaccination, were still required to show the negative result of their RT-PCR test or swab antigen test.
Hence, his side still provides COVID-19 test services, both antigen and PCR methods, in the airport area to facilitate airline passengers, who still need COVID-19 tests as travel requirements.
"We will continue to enforce strict health protocols. We also continue to assign an operational team to remind all airport service users to always implement health protocols," he concluded.
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Translator: Naufal Fikri Y, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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