Responding to the increasing spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants (Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma) in many countries, including Indonesia, the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 issued Circular Number 14 of 2021, regarding Domestic Travel Health Protocol during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. This regulation was signed by the Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Ganip Warsito, and came into effect from July 3rd, 2021.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, fully supports the Java-Bali Emergency Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) policy, including international flight arrangements and extended quarantine.
“We also call for the closing of all destinations and postponement of all tourism and creative economic events in all parts of Indonesia. We understand that this must be a bitter situation for all tourism and creative economy industries and players, but the COVID-19 data shows an emergency so we cannot take any more serious risks, and must prioritize health,” Sandiaga said on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021.
The health protocol regulations detailed in the Circular are as follows:
1. Domestic travelers are obligated to comply with the health protocol, namely: wearing a face mask, maintaining distance, washing hands with soap or using hand sanitizer, avoiding crowds and public dining, and reducing mobility.
2. Domestic travelers must comply with the following provisions:
a. Travelers using air transportation modes who fly between airports on Java Island, flights from or to airports on Java Island and flights from or to airports on Bali Island are required to show the COVID-19 vaccine card and a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results, which samples are taken within a maximum period of 2×24 hours before departure;
b. Travelers using air transportation modes who fly from or to airports other than those mentioned in letter c. must show a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results, which samples were taken within a maximum period of 2×24 hours or negative rapid antigen test results, which samples were taken within a maximum period of 1×24 hours before departure;
c. Domestic travelers using sea or strait-crossing transportation, intercity train, land public transportation, or land private transportations (including motorcycle) are required to show the COVID-19 vaccine card and a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results, which samples were taken within a maximum period of 2×24 hours before departure or negative rapid antigen test results which samples were taken within a maximum period of 1×24 hours before departure;
d. Specifically for routine trips using land transportation modes (private or public vehicles) and trains in one urban agglomeration area, it is not required to show a COVID-19 vaccine card and a certificate of negative RT-PCR test or rapid antigen test result;
e. It is mandatory for domestic travelers using air, sea, or land transportation using private or public vehicles to download, install, and fill the Indonesian e-HAC application on mobile phone;
f. Domestic travelers with special interests who are not/have not been vaccinated for medical reasons based on information from specialist doctors can travel by showing a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results which samples were taken within a maximum period of 2 × 24 hours before departure or rapid antigen tests which sample is taken within a maximum period of 1×24 hours before departure;
g. If the result of the RT-PCR test/rapid antigen test of the traveler is negative but shows symptoms, the traveler is not allowed to continue the trip and is required to carry out an RT-PCR diagnostic test and self-isolation during the waiting time for the results of the examination;
3. The regulations as referred to in point 3 are excluded for pioneering modes of transportation, including in border areas, underdeveloped areas, and limited shipping.
