Test Requirement Dropped; Travelers Still Must Be Vaccinated to Take Local Train

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia or KAI confirmed that fully-vaccinated travelers are no longer required to show a negative RT-PCR test or antigen test during the boarding process. This is effective on departures starting May 18, 2022 for all long-distance train trips.

“Passengers who have received the second dose and third dose (booster) vaccines do not need to show negative results of the COVID-19 screening,” said KAI Daop 1 Jakarta spokesperson Eva Chairunisa in a written statement, May 18, 2022.

However, those who have only been vaccinated with the first dose are still required to present a negative result of rapid antigen test taken 1x24 hours before departure or RT-PCR test taken 3x24 hours before departure. Unvaccinated people due to medical reasons must show a doctor's note from a government hospital and a negative result of an antigen test taken 1x24 hours before departure or RT-PCR test taken 3x24 hours before departure.

“Passengers under the age of 6 are not required to be vaccinated and show negative results, but must be accompanied by passengers who meet travel requirements,” Eva explained.

Meanwhile, for local and agglomeration trains, travelers are required to have received at least the first dose of vaccine without having to show negative results of antigen or PCR test.

However, Eva encouraged passengers departing from Gambir Station, Pasar Senen, Bekasi, Cikarang, Karawang, and Cikampek to keep wearing face masks during rides and while at stations.

This relaxed travel requirements is based on the Circular Letter of the Transportation Ministry No. 57 of 2022. “Passengers must be in good health (not having flu, colds, cough, loss of smell, diarrhea, and fever) and have a body temperature of no more than 37.3 degrees Celsius to take train rides,” the KAI spokesperson underlined.

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