The Indonesian government through the Covid-19 Task Force issued the latest regulations governing domestic travel during the Covid-19 pandemic in Circular Number 12 of 2021 issued on Sunday (28/3/2021), replaces Circular Number 7 of 2021 concerning the same matter, effective from April 1, 2021 until further notice.

New air travel regulations

Must show a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results, the sample of which was taken within a maximum period of 3x24 hours before departure.

Prospective airplane passengers can also submit negative results of the rapid antigen test, the samples of which are taken within a maximum period of 2x24 hours before departure.

Or it could be a negative result of the GeNose C19 test which is done directly at the airport before departure. 

This requirement applies to air travel for destinations other than Bali.

New sea travel regulations

Must show a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results or negative results of the rapid antigen test, the sample of which is taken within a maximum period of 3x24 hours before departure.

Prospective passengers can also submit negative results for the GeNose C19 test, which is carried out at the port before departure. For sea crossers, they must show negative results for the rapid antigen test, the samples taken within a maximum period of 3x24 hours before departure.

Or a negative result of the GeNose C19 test which was carried out at the port before departure while waiting for the decision to implement the RT-PCR test.

New regulations of intercity rail travel

Must show negative RT-PCR test results or negative rapid antigen test samples taken within a maximum period of 3x24 hours before departure.

Passengers can also show negative results for the GeNose C19 test which was carried out at the train station prior to departure.

Ground transportation travel regulations

Land transportation actors from time to time will carry out a random rapid antigen test or a GeNose C19 test if needed by the Regional Covid-19 Handling Task Force.

Therefore, private land transportation travelers are advised to carry out RT-PCR tests or rapid antigen tests whose samples are taken within a maximum period of 3x24 hours before departure.

The traveler can also show a negative result of the GeNose C19 test which is carried out in the rest area as a requirement to continue the trip if at any time a random test is carried out by the Regional Covid-19 Task Force.

Special travel regulations to Bali

Especially for trips to Bali by air, sea, and land transportation, whether using private or public vehicles, it is mandatory to show a certificate of negative Covid-19 results. The method can be RT-PCR or rapid antigen test where samples are taken within a maximum period of 2x24 hours before departure.

Travelers can also submit negative results for the GeNose C19 test at airports, seaports and terminals before departure as a travel requirement.

It is also mandatory to fill out Indonesia's e-HAC.

Must fill in e-HAC

Travelers with all modes of public and private land transportation are encouraged to fill out Indonesia's e-HAC (electronic-Health Access Card).

Travelers using air and sea transportation are also required to fill out Indonesia's e-HAC.

Especially for routine trips on the island of Java

Performers of routine trips on the island of Java are not required to show a letter of the results of the RT-PCR test / rapid antigen test / GeNose C19 test as a condition of travel. Especially those who make regular trips on the island of Java with the sea transportation mode which aims to serve limited inter-island shipping, or between domestic ports within an agglomeration area. Those who travel regularly using land transportation, both private and public within an urban agglomeration area are also not required to produce test results. However, the regional Covid-19 Handling Task Force will conduct random tests from time to time if needed.

Travel rule exceptions

Especially for children under the age of five, are not required to take the RT-PCR test or rapid antigen test or GeNose C19 as a condition of travel. These conditions also do not apply to pioneering modes of transportation, including in border areas and in 3T (underdeveloped, frontier, outermost) areas.

If the traveler's RT-PCR test or rapid antigen or GeNose C19 test results are negative but show symptoms, then the traveler may not continue the trip.

Travelers are required to carry out RT-PCR diagnostic tests and self-isolation during the waiting time for examination results.

Adhere to health protocols

Everyone is required to apply and comply with 3M's health protocols, which are wearing masks, keeping your distance and avoiding crowds, and washing your hands with soap or using a hand sanitizer.

In addition, the use of masks must also be done properly covering the nose and mouth.

The type of mask used is also a three-layer cloth mask or medical mask.

No one-way or two-way talk by telephone or in person during a trip by public transportation by land, rail, sea, river, lake, ferry and air.

Eating and drinking are not permitted along the flight journey for trips of less than two hours, except for individuals who are required to take medication in the context of medication.

Difference from the previous rules

The difference between this new rule and the previous one stated in Circular Task Force Number 7 of 2021, one of which is the question of using the GeNose C19 test. In Circular No.7 / 2021, there is no provision that allows the use of a negative GeNose C19 test result for airplane passengers, sea transportation passengers, as well as passengers on public and private land transportation.

The rules that allow GeNose conditions only apply to travelers using the rail mode of transportation. Then, there is also a change in the validity period of the antigen rapid test requirements for passengers on special aircraft to Bali.

Initially the validity period of this requirement was 1x24 hours, now this requirement can be valid for 2x24 hours, the same as the RT-PCR test requirements. Meanwhile, for other transportation users specifically to Bali, the validity period of the results is getting tighter. Initially the test results are valid for a maximum of 3x24 hours. Now, the test validity period is only 2x24 hours.

Then, the points regulating special travel requirements during long holidays or religious holidays for long-distance travelers using the train mode, private vehicles stipulated in Circular Letter Number 7 are also eliminated.

This regulation is not stated in the new Task Force Circular Letter Number 12 of 2021. Apart from these differences, the provisions in this latest Circular are relatively the same as the previous travel regulations..