Updated Protocols and Guidance for Domestic Travelers
On March 26, 2021, the Indonesian Covid-19 Task Force issued the Circular Letter No. 12 of 2021 on Provisions for Domestic Travels during the Covid-19 Pandemic (the “Circular Letter”). The Circular Letter is issued in relation with the Government’s intention to limit and discontinue the spread of Covid-19 that continues to potentially increase due to human mobilities and travels. In addition, the Government intends to expand the use of the locally produced, breath-based, Covid-19 early detection tool, namely the “GeNose C19,” as an alternative health screening tool across all modes of transportations for domestic travelers.
The Circular Letter will be effective from April 1, 2021 until a later specified time in accordance with the needs and/or recent developments.
We set out below the key points under the Circular Letter that domestic travelers will be subject to and need to take into account.
- Health Protocols for Domestic Travelers
All travelers are required to implement the health and safety protocols, i.e., wearing masks, keeping distance from each other (physical distancing), and washing hands frequently with soap or hand sanitizers. The Circular Letter also specifies that the masks shall be three-layered cloth masks or medical masks. Travelers shall wear the masks correctly, by covering the nose and mouth.
Talking or engaging in phone conversation is not allowed during the travels in all means of public transportation. Eating or drinking during a flight that lasts less than 2 (two) hours is not allowed either, except for individuals who need to consume medications for treatments that otherwise could endanger the safety and health of such individuals.
- Covid-19 Testing Before Domestic Travels
In general, domestic travelers shall have a negative Covid-19 test result prior to traveling. The provisions are as follows:
- If traveling by air transportation, sea transportation, or intercity train, travelers shall:
- Show the negative Covid-19 test result using an RT-PCR test and the sample is taken not later than 3×24 hours before departure; or
- Show the negative Covid-19 test result using an antigen rapid test and the sample is taken not later than 2×24 hours before departure; or
- Show the negative Covid-19 test result using the GeNose C19 at the airport, seaport, or train station before departure; and
- Travelers by air transportation and sea transportation shall also fill in the Indonesian electronic Health Alert Card (the “e-HAC Indonesia”).
- If traveling by public land transportation, travelers shall be subject to random testing using rapid test antigen or the GeNose C19, if deemed necessary by the Regional Covid-19 Task Force.
- If traveling by private land transportation, travelers are encouraged to take Covid-19 test using an RT-PCR or rapid test antigen and the sample is taken not later than 3×24 hours before departure, or using the GeNose C-19 at the rest area. Travelers will be subject to random testing, if deemed necessary by the Regional Covid-19 Task Force.
Travelers for routine travels within the Java Island using sea transportation with the purpose to serve the cruise of a limited location between islands, or between domestic ports within one area, or by land transportation, both private and public, within one area are not obliged to show a negative Covid-19 test result using the RT-PCR, antigen rapid test, or GeNose C-19, but will be subject to random testing, if deemed necessary by the Regional Covid-19 Task Force.
Specifically for domestic travel to Bali using all modes of transportation, whether private and public, travelers shall:
- show the negative Covid-19 test result using the RT-PCR and the sample is taken not later than 2×24 hours before the departure; or
- show the negative Covid-19 test result using the antigen rapid test and the sample is taken no later than 2×24 hours before the departure; or
- show the negative Covid-19 test result using the GeNose C-19 at the airport, seaport, or terminal; and
- complete the e-HAC Indonesia.
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March 31, 2021
Please contact Johannes C. Sahetapy-Engel (jsahetapyengel@aksetlaw.com) or Satria Kasmaliputra (mkasmaliputra@aksetlaw.com) for further information.
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