Government tightens domestic travel rules amid tough social restrictions
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Jakarta. Indonesia has tightened rules on domestic travel as it enforces stricter social restrictions in Java and Bali to control the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Previously, the Covid-19 task force deployed a circular on domestic travel during the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, the Ministry of Transport issued four circulars on domestic travel, each regulating land, air, sea and rail transport, respectively.
“The policy will go into effect on July 5 to allow operators to prepare,” Transport Ministry spokeswoman Adita Irawati said on Sunday.
Under the new rules, domestic travelers to Java and Bali must have their vaccination record of at least the first dose. They must pass an RT-PCR test within 48 hours or an antigen test within 24 hours before departure. This applies to sea and land transport, ferries and long distance trains.
Requirements for plane passengers in Java and Bali include a vaccination card and a negative RT-PCR test performed within 48 hours before the flight, Adita said.
The vaccination card is not mandatory for travelers outside of Java and Bali. Their requirements only include a negative PCR test with a validity of 48 hours or a negative antigen test no more than 24 hours before departure.
Passengers must also file an e-Hac document when traveling by plane, sea and ferry.
“There is an exception for those who cannot be vaccinated against Covid-19 for medical reasons while traveling,” Adita said.
As a result of social restrictions, all modes of transport have to reduce their capacity and hours of operation.
Air transport is operating at 70 percent of its capacity. Buses and ferries are to reduce their capacity by 85 to 50 percent. The capacity of 100 percent of shipping now drops to 70 percent. The capacity of intercity rail transport remains the same at 70 percent. Suburban lines have to reduce their capacity again by 45% to 32%.
âThe opening hours of all transport will be adjusted to the operator’s timetables. Buses and ferries will also adapt to existing demand,â Adita said.
The city‘s suburban line operates from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Random Covid-19 antigen tests will also be carried out in terminals and stations in built-up areas. Together with the regional government, army and police and other stakeholders, the Ministry of Transport will tighten the borders between built-up areas by verifying travel documents.
Airports and train stations now have free vaccination services for their passengers. Vaccination will soon arrive in terminals and ports.
Vaccination is available at Terminals 2 and 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, and Sultan Syarif Kasim Airport in Pekanbaru. Gambir, Pasar Senen, Bandung, Cirebon, Semarang Tawang, Yogyakarta, Solo Balapan and Jember stations also offer Covid-19 jabs. Other locations will follow soon.
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