Gov’t Issues Circular on Tightened Travel Restrictions during Emergency PPKM
Ministry of Transportation on Friday (2/7) has issued a Circular on Implementation Guidelines for Domestic Travel by Public Transportation for land, sea, air, and rail transportation during the emergency public activity restriction (PPKM Darurat) in the islands of Java and Bali from 3 to 20 July 2021.
The Circular was issued in response to Circular of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 14 of 2021 on Requirements for Domestic Travel during COVID-19 Pandemic.
“As we all know that Indonesia has declared a state of emergency for COVID-19. The emergency status is also experienced by other countries such as India, Malaysia, Singapore, and several European countries. For this reason, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo imposed an Emergency PPKM to suppress new COVID-19 cases by limiting people’s mobility and activities in various sectors, including transportation,” Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said, as quoted from the official website of Ministry of Transportation.
The Minister went on to say that the implementation of Circular of Ministry of Transportation will take effect on 5 July 2021 so that transportation operators have thorough preparation beforehand.
During his press statement, Budi also urged the public to carry out and comply with the policy well and remain disciplined in observing health protocols.
“We hope that the public are aware of, and understand this regulation. Please, just stay at home during the Emergency PPKM because the current condition is too risky. Love ourselves, our brothers and sisters by keeping them safe from COVID-19. If we cooperated, COVID-19 cases would be reduced quickly and we certainly will be more free to carry out activities,” he said.
Several provisions based on the Circular are as follows:
- Long-distance trip travelers from/to Java and Bali must present vaccination certificates (at least one vaccine dose) and present a negative result of RT-PCR test taken within a maximum period of 2×24 hours or negative result from rapid test antigen taken within 1×24 hours before departure.
- Tightening of people’s mobility in Java and Bali requires travelers to have vaccination certificates and a negative result of RT-PCR or rapid test antigen taken within a maximum period of 2×24 hours valid for 1×24 hours for sea, land, ferry crossing, and long-distance train transportations.
- Especially for the air transportation, travelers are required to carry vaccination certificates and a negative result of RT-PCR test which is valid for a maximum period of 2 × 24 hours in the Java and Bali areas.
- Vaccination certificates is not included in mandatory requirements for people’s mobility outside Java and Bali.
- Travelers are required to fill out Indonesia’s e-HAC on air, sea, and ferry trips.
- Vaccination certificates is not mandatory for those excluded from vaccination for health reasons during the travel period.
In addition, there are also restrictions on transport capacity (load factor) and operating hours of public transportation in all modes to implement the principles of physical distancing and avoid crowds.
For land transportation, the capacity of bus passengers is limited to 50 percent maximum passenger capacity, ferry crossing is also limited to 50 percent maximum capacity, sea transportation is limited to 70 percent maximum capacity, air transportation is limited to 70 percent maximum capacity, intercity trains are limited to 70 percent maximum capacity, commuter trains are limited to 32 percent maximum capacity, and urban non-commuter trains are limited to 50 percent maximum capacity.
In order to strengthen 3T (testing, tracing, and treatment) measures, the Government will also conduct random COVID-19 tests at transportation nodes in agglomeration areas, including terminals and train stations.
For the record, Ministry of Transportation has cooperated with the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), regional governments, and other relevant stakeholders in tightening restrictions at the entry and exit of the regions by checking all travel requirements documents at predetermined posts. (PR of Ministry of Transportation/UN) (RIF/MUR)
Visit the official website of Ministry of Transportation via this link.
