Appreciate the Government’s Decision to Remove PCR Requirements for Boarding Airplanes
By: Deka Prawira)*
The government has removed the mandatory PCR test requirements for prospective airplane passengers. The decision has received appreciation from various parties who are expected to make it easier for residents to travel.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives 180 degrees. There are restrictions on mobility to suppress the rate of transmission of the virus, making people’s movements not as free as they used to be. However, in the last few months the curve of corona patients has been sloping, so residents can move, provided they must comply with the 10M health protocol.
Likewise with mobility via air. At the beginning of the pandemic, flights were stopped, then allowed with the condition that a maximum of 50% passengers and mandatory PCR tests first. However, when the situation is safe and there are no areas with red zone status, the rules are changed. The maximum passenger plane can be 80-90% and the PCR test is replaced with an antigen test.
This antigen test requirement applies to domestic flights from Java, Bali, and the two islands. This was stated by PMK Minister Muhadjir Effendy. An official letter from the Ministry of Transportation will soon be issued as a solid legal basis.
The changing of requirements from PCR tests to antigen tests makes people very happy because they save costs. Antigen tests are indeed more affordable. If PCR costs 275,000-300,000 rupiah, then the maximum antigen test is only 200,000. People who will board the plane just test it at a trusted lab, then show the results (as well as the vaccine card) to the officers at the airport.
Besides being more affordable, antigen tests also come out faster. If the PCR test takes 1-2 days, then the antigen test is completed in just a matter of hours. The reason is because there are not too many PCR test kits, so the queue is also long.
When the results of the antigen test come out earlier, the community will benefit, because they can immediately go to the airport to catch a plane and not lose their ticket. In addition, those who are urgent because their parents died or other causes, will be able to test antigen and get the results as soon as possible, and immediately rush to the airport to fly.
It is hoped that the change in the requirements for boarding an airplane will not confuse the public, because the rules can indeed be changed, depending on the conditions on the ground. Currently, the situation is relatively safe, because more than 50% of Indonesian citizens have received the vaccine, thereby minimizing the risk of corona transmission at airports and planes.
In addition, the curve of Covid-19 patients is also sloping. If 4 months ago there were still 50,000 patients per day, then since 1 month ago, it dropped drastically to only 600 patients per day. In Indonesia, there are also no areas with red zone status and level 4 PPKM, and many cities or regencies have decreased levels, so only level 1 or 2.
The relatively safe conditions made the regulations when boarding a plane changed, and it was ensured to remain conducive, because the passengers and airline crew had been vaccinated. In addition, they also obey health protocols and continue to wear masks even though they are in the air. All this to prevent the worst.
The change in requirements from having to test PCR to being allowed to test for antigens makes people very happy, because the cost of antigen is more affordable. They can save money when going on a plane. In addition, the antigen test results come out in just a matter of hours, making it easier for those who will fly that day. The community is grateful to the government for the easing regulations.
)* The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute
