The government requires tourists traveling overland to Bali to carry out a rapid antigen test on D-2 or 2×24 hours before departure. This policy is in effect from 18 August to 4 January 2020.
Meanwhile, airplane passengers to Bali are required to take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab test on D-2 before departure.
“We ask tourists who are boarding a plane to Bali must take a PCR test D-2 before flying to Bali and require a D-2 rapid antigen test before land travel to Bali,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said in an official statement, quoted Tuesday (15/12).
This provision was decided at the Covid-19 Handling Coordination Meeting in DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java and Bali, led by Luhut, in a virtual meeting earlier this week. This is in anticipation of a spike in covid-19 cases during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Luhut asked health protocol be tightened in Bali, especially in rest areas, hotels and tourist attractions.
He also asked Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, and BNPB Chairman Doni Monardo to immediately regulate the procedure.
“I ask that today the SOP for the use of the antigen rapid test will be completed immediately,”
Separately, the Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster followed up with the issuance of Circular Letter Number 2021 of 2020 concerning the Implementation of Community Activities During the Christmas Holidays and Welcoming 2021 in the New Era Life Order in Bali Province.
“For those who travel by air, they must show a negative result of the PCR-based swab test 2 x 24 hours before departure, and fill out Indonesia’s e-HAC,” Koster said in a press conference, as quoted by Antara.
The circular also regulates for those who travel using private vehicles via land and sea transportation are required to show a negative result of the Rapid Antigen Test no later than 2 x 24 hours before departure.
“The certificate of negative PCR-based swab test results and negative results of the Rapid Antigen test is valid for 14 days from issuance,” he said.
Meanwhile, for domestic travelers (PPDN) departing from Bali, a valid PCR-based swab or rapid antigen-based swab statement can be used for trips back to Bali.
According to Koster, the circular was issued because of the high rate of transmission of positive cases of Covid-19 in Indonesia, including the Island of the Gods, which was marked by the emergence of new clusters.
In addition, the regulation was also issued to anticipate the increasing flow of visits to Bali and the high potential for crowds during the Christmas holidays and welcoming the New Year 2021 in Bali Province.
