COVID Task Force: Domestic Travel Requirements to be Adjusted to PPKM Categories

Following the extension of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Level 1-4 until 2 August 2021, COVID-19 Handling Task Force has issued a Circular Number 16 of 2021 on Requirements for Domestic Travel during COVID-19 Pandemic.

“This Circular shall take effect as of 26 July 2021 until indefinite time which will later be determined based on the latest situation on the ground and the result of evaluation,” Head of COVID-19 Handling Task Force Ganip Warsito said.

According to Spokesperson of COVID-19 National Working Committee Wiku Adisasmito, the Circular was issued following significant number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and public’s low level of compliance with health protocols. For that reason, restriction on people’s mobility is deemed to be applied in a bid to cut virus transmission chain.

Upon the effectiveness of this Circular, Circular of COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 14 of 2021 that regulated similar content will be declared null and void. In addition, Circular Number 15 of 2021 concerning enforcement of public restrictions during Eid al-Adha holidays shall no longer take into effect as it has ended on 25 July 2021.

The Circular regulates category of PPKM Level 1, Level, 2, Level 3, and Level 4 along with regions that fall into each category and requirements for domestic travel.

All travelers must comply with provisions in that Circular, among others:

For regions in Level 4 and Level 3:

1. Traveler using air transportation is required to show a vaccination certificate (of the minimum of the first dose) and a certificate of a negative result of RT-PCR taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before departure as a travel requirement; and
2. Traveler using sea transportation, land transportation (both private or public vehicles), ferry, and intercity train is required to show a vaccination certificate (of the minimum of the first dose) and a certificate of a negative result of RT-PCR taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before departure or a negative result of the rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours before departure as a travel requirement.

For regions in Level 2 and Level 1:

1. Traveler using air transportation is required to show a certificate of a negative result of RT-PCR or a negative result of the rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before departure as a travel requirement; and
2. Traveler using sea transportation, land transportation (both private or public vehicles), ferry, and intercity train is required to show a certificate of a negative result of RT-PCR taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before departure or a negative result of the rapid antigen test taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours before departure as a travel requirement.

For routine trips using public or private land transportation, or using train within a region/agglomeration area, it is not required to show the test result of RT-PCR/rapid antigen test, but it is required to show a worker registration certificate (STRP) or other travel documents;

Traveler of goods and logistic vehicles are not required to show a vaccination certificate, while travel for children under age 12 will be temporary limited.

For the record, following the issuance of this Circular, Ministry of Transportation issued four Circulars to provide implementing guidance for domestic travel during COVID-19 pandemic. The four Circulars are, among others:

1. Circular Number 56 of 2021 on Implementing Guidance for Domestic Travel Using Land Transportation during COVID-19 Pandemic;
2. Circular Number 57 of 2021 on Implementing Guidance for Domestic Travel Using Air Transportation during COVID-19 Pandemic;
3. Circular Number 58 of 2021 on Implementing Guidance for Domestic Travel Using Train during COVID-19 Pandemic;
4. Circular Number 59 of 2021 on Implementing Guidance for Domestic Travel Using Sea Transportation during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Each Circular covers requirements of travel be it long-distance travel, intercity travel, and travel within an agglomeration area, passenger limit, operational hours, process to refund tickets, and monitoring of the implementation on the ground.

The four Circulars shall take effect on 26 July 2021 until indefinite time which will later be determined or be extended based on the needs and/or the latest situation on the ground. (Ministry of Transportation PR/UN) (RAS/LW)