Land Transport Organization Calls COVID Test Exemption 'Positive'

TheIndonesia.co - The Land Transport Organization, or Organda, has praised the government’s decision to waive mandatory COVID tests for fully-vaccinated domestic travelers and called it a “positive” thing.

Secretary general of Organda’s central board Ateng Aryono said the latest policy is a necessary step to take to ensure the survival of transportation industry, and the organization appreciated that the government finally removed COVID test requirements for travelers.

“We welcome this as something positive [that helps the industry] to stay afloat as [we] head into normality,” Aryono said on Wednesday, March 9, as reported by Antara.

He also expressed optimism that the decision was based on data and suggestions from experts that shows improving COVID-19 situation in regions across Indonesia.

However, he ensured that Organda will continue to promote strict implementation of health protocols and encourage passengers to use PeduliLindungi app.

Furthermore, Organda also expects the Indonesian government and all concerning stakeholders to formulate anticipatory measures that can support industry players if mobility restrictions are to be re-tightened in the future.

“This pandemic hopefully can teach something so that, in the future, authorities can prepare systematic and measurable mitigation scenario,” Aryono concluded.

On Monday, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment who is also deputy chairman of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan announced that antigen and PCR tests will no longer be mandatory for domestic travelers who have been double-jabbed.

And on Tuesday, the COVID-19 Task Force issued circular letter that details that while the fully-vaccinated travelers are no longer required to show COVID test result, those who have only received the first dose of vaccine still have to show PCR test result taken no more than three days or antigen result taken no more than 24 hours prior to the traveling time.

Tests are also still mandatory for those with pre-existing medical conditions and can’t receive COVID vaccines.