Gov’t to Issue Circular on Mudik Provisions

Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Suharyanto (Photo: Screenshot)

Following up the Government’s decision to lift up mudik (annual exodus) ban this year, Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Suharyanto said that his party will soon issue the latest provisions regarding the health protocols for domestic travelers (PPDN).

“Following the directive from the President, the COVID-19 Task Force has made a draft Circular to be issued immediately to regulate domestic travelers,” said Suharyanto in a press statement, Thursday (03/31).

He said that for people who will go on mudik and have complete doses of vaccines and booster, they are not urged to take COVID-19 tests, both antigen and PCR. Meanwhile, for people who have received the second dose must show a negative result of the antigen test taken within 1 x 24 hours or PCR taken within 3 x 24 hours and people who only receive the first dose must show a negative result of PCR test taken within 3 x 24 hours.

Meanwhile, domestic travelers with special health conditions are required to show a negative PCR test result taken within 3 x 24 hours before departure and attach a certificate from a general practitioner or doctor from a local government hospital.

“Children under the age of 6 are not tested, but must be accompanied by a travel companion who meets the travel requirements. This means that the companion has received the third dose of vaccine. Then for children aged 6-17 are not tested, but must show a [proof of] second dose of vaccination,” he added.

Closing his press statement, Suharyanto emphasized that the policy implemented by the Government was aimed at reducing the rate of COVID-19 transmission during the mudik period.

“The point is that the Government does not want to limit travelers. We hope that the mudik period can run safely, smoothly, and there will be no significant COVID-19 transmission,” he said. (TGH/UN) (EST/MMB)