Indonesia Removes Mandatory COVID Tests for Domestic Travel

The Indonesian government has finally taken the step to remove COVID tests from the list of requirements for domestic travelers who are fully vaccinated.

During a press conference on Monday, March 7, 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.

“Domestic travelers traveling in the air and on the ground who are fully vaccinated no longer have to show negative antigen or PCR test result,” he said, as reported by Antara.

The Coordinating Minister said the decision was taken as part of the transitioning process to normality.

And on Tuesday, the COVID-19 Task Force issued circular letter detailing that policy is applicable for domestic travelers using public or personal air, water, and land transportation.

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.

Pandjaitan said all policies made by the government are based on discussions with and suggestions from experts.

“We’d like to reiterate that all policies during this transition are not made in a hurry. We have to be prepared first to move towards a gradual transitioning process by implementing data-based regulations,” he said.