Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has made it necessary for all passengers to wear masks at the railway station and while travelling aboard trains during the 2023 Eid al-Fitr exodus period.

"Yes, (using masks is required) except when eating or drinking," Public Relations Manager of KAI's Operation Area 1 Jakarta, Eva Chairunisa, stated here, Sunday (April 16).

The regulation is consistent with Transportation Ministry's Circular No. 8 of 2023, amending Circular No. 84 of 2022 regarding domestic travel in railway transport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The circular stated that COVID-19 health protocols in railway transport remain in force according to the circular issued on March 8, 2023.

Apart from instructing the use of the SATUSEHAT mobile application, the railway company also necessitates passengers over 18 to complete their third COVID-19 vaccine dose and second vaccine dose for passengers, aged six to 17, before boarding the train.

Passengers younger than six are not required to be inoculated or show their COVID-19 test report certifying their COVID-19 negative status. However, they must be accompanied by adults, who fulfil the travel requirements.

Passengers, who are yet to complete their vaccine requirement, can get their vaccine at the COVID-19 vaccination point available at the Gambir and Pasar Senen stations.

For the 2023 Eid al-Fitr exodus period from April 12 to May 3, PT KAI's Operation Area 1 Jakarta has prepared up to one million seats in long-distance trains during 1,513 departures from the Gambir and Pasar Senen stations.

The total seats included those in 303 additional trains for high-demand routes to Yogyakarta, Semarang, Surakarta, Blitar, Surabaya, and Malang cities, for which tickets have begun to be sold on March 13.

Passengers could also purchase their tickets at the station for departures on the same day, available three hours before the departure time, depending on availability.

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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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