COVID-19 Task Force Issues New Circular on Domestic Travel Provisions

The COVID-19 Task Force on November 2, 2021 issued Circular Number 22 of 2021 on Provisions for Domestic Travel during COVID-19 Pandemic.

“The Circular shall apply from November 2, 2021 and is subject to evaluation in accordance with the latest developments or the evaluation results from Ministries/Agencies,” the Circular reads.

The issuance of the Circular aims to monitor, control, and evaluate the measures to prevent an increase in COVID-19 transmission.

The health protocols provisions stipulated in the Circular are as follows:

1. Every traveler must comply with the health protocols, namely wearing a face mask, maintaining distance and avoiding crowds, and washing hands with soap or using hand sanitizer.
2. Other health protocols for domestic travel are as follows:
   1. Face masks must be used properly and must cover nose and mouth;
   2. The types of masks used by travelers should be three-ply cloth masks or medical masks;
   3. The travelers are not allowed to speak by telephone or in-person throughout the trip on all public transportation modes; and
   4. The travelers are not allowed to eat and drink during the flight less than 2 hours, except for individuals who must consume medicine.
3. Domestic travelers must comply with the following provisions:
   1. Everyone who travels by private or public transportation is responsible for his/her own health, and is subject to and must comply with the prevailing regulations;
   2. Every domestic traveler must use the PeduliLindungi application as a requirement for domestic travel;
   3. Long-distance travelers using air transportation modes from and to areas in the islands of Java and Bali as well as for inter-regency or inter-city trips within the islands of Java and Bali must fulfill the following requirements:
      1. showing a vaccine card (proving that the holder has been vaccinated at least for the first dose) and a certificate of negative result of RT-PCR test taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before departure; or
      2. showing a vaccine card (proving that the holder has been vaccinated for the second dose) and certificate of negative result of rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours before departure.
   4. Long-distance travelers using inter-regency or inter-city air transportation outside the islands of Java and Bali must show a vaccine card (proving that the holder has been vaccinated at least for the first dose) and a negative result of the RT-PCR test taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours or a negative result of rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours before departure;
   5. Travelers using sea transport, private or public land transport, sea crossings transport and intercity train must show a vaccine card (proving that the holder has been vaccinated at least for the first dose) and a certificate of negative result of RT-PCR test taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours or negative result of rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours before departure;
   6. routine trips using public and private land transport, and trains in one urban agglomeration area are exempted from the travel requirements stipulated in letter e;
   7. for logistics transportation and other goods transportation that travels domestically in the islands of Java and Bali, the following provisions apply:
      1. showing a vaccine card (proving that the holder has been vaccinated for the second dose) and a certificate of negative result of rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 14 x 24 hours before departure;
      2. showing a vaccine card (proving that the holder has been vaccinated for the first dose) and a certificate of negative result of rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 7 x 24 hours before departure; or
      3. showing a certificate of negative result of rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours before departure if the traveler has not got vaccinated.
   8. Provisions for showing a vaccine card are excluded for:
      1. Travelers under the age of 12;
      2. Logistics vehicles and other goods transportation operators who travel domestically in areas outside the islands of Java and Bali; and
      3. Travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that make travelers unable to receive vaccine, as proven by a doctor’s certificate from the public hospital stating that the person concerned has not received and/or cannot receive COVID-19 vaccine.
4. The provisions as referred to in point 3 are excluded for pioneer transportation, including in border areas, the outermost, frontline and disadvantaged areas, and limited shipping transport in accordance with the conditions of each area.
5. Every operator of transportation mode must use PeduliLindungi application to show the negative results of the RT-PCR or rapid antigen test and proof of the first dose vaccination.
6. Ministries/Agencies, Provinces/Regencies/Cities governments that intend to impose special criteria and requirements on traveler in the area may issue other Regulations in line and not contradictory with this Circular.
7. Other Regulations that regulate the specific criteria and requirements as referred to in number 6 shall be an integral part of this Circular.

The Circular also stipulates monitoring, control, and evaluation measures as follows:

1. The Regional COVID-19 Task Force, assisted by the public transportation authority, shall jointly monitor people’s mobility and public transportation to ensure the compliance with COVID-19 protocols by establishing an integrated security post;
2. The authorities and operators of public transportation shall monitor the operation of public transportation;
3. Ministries/Agencies, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and regional governments have the rights to stop and/or prohibit people from traveling on the basis of this Circular with the measures in line and not contradictory with the provisions of laws and regulations;
4. Authorized agencies (Ministries/Agencies, the TNI, the Polri, and regional governments) shall maintain discipline in observing COVID-19 health protocols and take law enforcement measures in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations;
5. Public transportation authorities and/or officers shall examine certificates of RT-PCR tests or rapid antigen tests as travel requirements and verify the validity of the certificates based on the names of COVID-19 network laboratories and health facilities set by Ministry of Health to prevent counterfeit certificate; and
6. Counterfeiting RT-PCR or rapid antigen test certificates, doctor’s certificates, and other travel certificates used as travel requirements is subject to sanctions in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations. (COVID-19 TASK FORCE/UN) (RI/MUR)