No Vaccine Cards; Over 10,000 Passengers Barred from Boarding Trains

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In Indonesia, 10,865 passengers were barred from boarding long-distance trains for not bringing Covid-19 vaccination cards. The data was compiled by PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the state railway company, during the emergency movements curb's implementation between July 3 and 25.

"The KAI strictly applies health protocols set the government during the Emergency PPKM and Level 4 PPKM," the company's VP for public relations Joni Martinus said in a statement, Tuesday, July 27.

Presenting Covid-19 vaccination cards to railway officers is one of the conditions for long-distance passenger travel as regulated in the Covid-19 Task Force circular during Emergency PPKM and Level 4 PPKM. These conditions apply to travels in Java and Bali.

Vaccine requirements are excluded for passengers with certain medical health conditions, as evidenced by a certificate from a hospital or doctor. In addition to vaccines, passengers must also show a worker registration certificate (STRP) and documents showing they tested negative for Covid-19.

To those who were not allowed to board the trains, PT KAI fully refunded their tickets.

Effective from July 26, long-distance train passengers no longer need to carry STRP. However, passengers still have to show proof that they have received at least one dose of vaccine and they tested negative for Covid-19 based on the results of a PCR or Antigen swab test.

Read: Health Ministry Talks of Unequal Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccine

Francisca Christy Rosana