Angkasa Pura

COVID-19 Airborne Task Force Prepares a 5-Day Quarantine Process for All International Route Passengers

Jakarta - The Air Task Force for Handling COVID-19 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport which consists of joint elements, including PT Angkasa Pura II, TNI / Polri, the Port Health Office of the Ministry of Health (KKP Kemenkes), Airport Authority Office, Immigration and Customs and Excise Offices, committed to following up all health protocols issued by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.

One of the health protocols listed in Addendum SE Number 03 of 2020, which includes special provisions, namely foreign travelers from the UK who enter Indonesia, either directly or transiting in a foreign country, cannot enter Indonesia.

Meanwhile, foreigners and Indonesian citizens from Europe and Australia who enter Indonesia, either directly or transiting in a foreign country, must show negative results through the RT-PCR test in the country of origin which is valid a maximum of 2x24 hours before departure time. Meanwhile, Indonesian citizens traveling from England follow this provision.

The addendum also states that RT-PCR re-examination is also carried out upon arrival, in which if the result is negative, either the Indonesian citizen or foreigner must quarantine for 5 days.

Then, on December 28, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force issued Circular Letter Number 4 of 2020 concerning the Travel Health Protocol for People During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Based on the circular, foreigners referred to in Addendum SE 03 of 2020 are all foreigners who arrived on December 28 - 31, 2020. As for January 1 - 14, 2021, all foreigners are not allowed to enter Indonesia.

In line with the circular issued by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, international route passengers, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners arriving in Indonesia starting December 28, 2020, are required to quarantine for 5 days.

For Indonesian citizens, quarantine is carried out in special quarantine accommodation provided by the government. Meanwhile, for foreigners, quarantine is carried out at quarantine accommodation with independent costs (hotels / inns) that have received certification for the implementation of COVID-19 quarantine accommodation by the Ministry of Health.

At the quarantine location, the PCR test will be carried out twice, first upon arrival and the second within the next 5 days.

Chairperson of the Air Task Force for COVID-19 Handling Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU) stated that preparations were made by all stakeholders at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which is currently the main entry point for international flights in Indonesia.

"Starting yesterday, December 28, 2020, all international route passengers arriving in Indonesia, including at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, must quarantine for 5 days at the prepared location."

"In line with that, we are carrying out quarantine preparation procedures starting from Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Arrival. After international passengers process their arrival at the airport which includes checking health documents, then immigration and baggage collection, then we prepare to deliver these passengers to the quarantine place, ”said Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU).

Colonel Pas M.A Silaban said the process of carrying out the quarantine had hampered international route passengers from being able to exit Terminal 3 for International Arrivals on the evening of December 28.

"It must also be ascertained regarding the readiness of the quarantine location that passengers on this international route have to go to. After it is confirmed, new passengers are allowed to leave Terminal 3 of International Arrival to be escorted by bus to the quarantine location. The process to the quarantine location has led to a congestion at Terminal 3 of International Arrivals as photos circulating on social media, because a number of planes also came together, "explained Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU).

Head of Soekarno-Hatta Class I Port Health Office, dr. Darmawali Handoko told the media that there were around 200 international passengers waiting at Terminal 3 of International Arrival to undergo the quarantine process.

"There were around 200 people last night, but basically all of them have been distributed to the hotel," explained Dr. Darmawali Handoko.

Meanwhile, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Executive General Manager Agus Haryadi said support was always given to the Air Task Force for Handling COVID-19 in fulfilling the applicable health protocol.

"The entire process at the airport is smooth, starting from the plane landing process, baggage handling by ground handling, to checking eHAC and health documents, immigration, and Customs. We will also support the whole process of arrival of international aircraft passengers according to health protocols to run smoothly, "said Agus Haryadi.