TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Garuda Indonesia president director Irfan Sebuahutra advised passengers to immediately reschedule or refund their ticket reservations for flights within the coming weeks. The appeal came following the extension of the national emergency period with regards to the Covid-19 outbreak in Indonesia until May 29, 2020.

"We hope that passengers will reschedule," Irfan told Tempo, Tuesday, March 17.

Irfan said that currently there is no policy or direction from the government related to flight status during an emergency period. In particular, he said, flights for the Lebaran homecoming which will be in May.

He said that Garuda's management had received a number of reports related to flight cancellations. But he did not reveal the number or percentage. "I have the report but I have not consolidated it," he said.

The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has declared an extension of the emergency status related to the coronavirus outbreak. BNPB chief Lt. Gen. Doni Monardo said the state of emergency is enforced until May 29, 2020.

The decision was made due to the increasing spread of infection in Indonesia, and the number of lives lost. The situation, Agus said, may cost people their money, as well as leave a psychological impact on society, and threaten and disrupt people's lives.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | EGI ADYATAMA