COVID-19 Task Force: New Travel Policy to Come into Force on May 18

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Spokesperson for COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito in the virtual press statement on the Relaxation of Health Protocol and Travel Regulation, Tuesday (05/17). (Image Source: a screenshot)

The Government Tuesday (05/17) announced to relax the use of masks for uncrowded outdoor activities and abolished the requirement to show COVID-19 test results for domestic and international travelers who already received full dose COVID-19 vaccinations.

“The elaboration of President Joko Widodo’s directive will be outlined in several changes to the COVID-19 control policy, namely on domestic and international travelers and will come into force from May 18, 2022 or tomorrow,” Spokesperson for COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito said in virtual press statement.

Wiku underlined that the Government’s decision was taken by considering the latest developments in national and global cases. “Nevertheless, we need to continue vaccination efforts as well as hygienic behavior and healthy environment such as exercising health protocol since the WHO has not officially declared the end of the pandemic,” he added.

In addition, Wiku expressed hope that the relaxation can run smoothly and expected it can boost the national economy recovery which has been severely affected by the pandemic for the last two years.

“We hope the policy can be implemented properly. Still, the public is expected to remain vigilant, alert, and adaptive to various changes that will occur in the near future,” Wiku remarked.

As previously reported, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (05/17) afternoon had announced the policy to relax the use of masks for people who do outdoor activities but urge the people to wear masks for indoor activities and public transportation as well as for people who are categorized as vulnerable, elderly, have comorbid diseases, or experience symptoms of coughs and colds.

In addition, the President also announced the policy to relax the PCR or antigen swab test policy for travelers who have received full dose COVIC-19 vaccinations. (TGH/UN) (GWH/HD)