Since April 22nd, the requirements for obtaining medical certificates for travel purposes have become more stringent.

Indonesia's Covid-19 Task Force has issued an addendum to Circular No. 13 of 2021 regarding the abolition of mudik on Idul Fitri 1442 according to the Islamic calendar. In this information letter, the tightening of the restriction regime begins 14 days before the cancellation of the mudik, that is, on April 22 and is valid for 7 days after the cancellation of the mudik, that is, until May 24.

Mudik is a Muslim trip home to visit family in their hometown or village, usually performed at the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and coinciding with the celebration of Idul Fitri (Eid Al Fitr).

In the previous Circular, the Task Force regulated restrictions on the movement of the population on May 6-17, 2021.

In particular, among the complications of the travel rules for the period before and after the cancellation of mudik is the change in the expiration date of PCR and rapid antigen tests. Previously, the shelf life of such tests was from 48 to 72 hours, but now such tests are valid for 24 hours.

The updated document and its rules relate to domestic travel in Indonesia.

For the period of 14 days before the cancellation of the mudik and 7 days after, there was no new requirement to provide a travel document authorizing the trip, namely Surat Izin Keluar Masuk (SIKM). Whereas for travel during the cancellation of the mudik on May 6-17, such a document will still be required for travel in Indonesia.

The Task Force will also conduct random tests for land-based travelers using public transportation. The test will be carried out by rapid testing for antigen or GeNose C19.

Travelers traveling by air and sea must fill out Indonesia's e-HAC before traveling. Other travelers are recommended to do this.

The Covid-19 test rules do not apply to children under 5 years of age for domestic travel.

The Task Force does not prohibit travel for logistics vehicles and for acute reasons unrelated to mudik.

Drivers of vehicles providing logistics services, travelers with acute needs who do not travel, including: those who make work / official trips, visits to sick family members, visits to deceased family members, accompanying pregnant women (maximum 1 escort), accompanying women in labor (maximum 2 escorts), and some other persons who do not make mudik, who have a certificate from the local head of the village / head of the district.

Thus, the requirements for the expiration dates of certificates for COVID-19 for travel around the country from April 22 have become as follows:

1. Persons traveling by air must present a negative RT-PCR/ rapid antigen test result, samples of which were taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours before departure, or a certificate of negative GeNose C19 test results submitted at the airport before departure, as travel requirements and fill out e-HAC Indonesia;

2. Persons traveling by sea must present a certificate of negative results of the RT-PCR/ rapid antigen test, samples of which were taken within no more than 1 x 24 hours before departure, or a certificate of negative results of the GeNose C19 test, handed in at the port before departure as a travel requirement and fill out an e-mailHAC Indonesia;

3. Sea travelers at crossings must present a certificate of negative results of the RT-PCR/ rapid antigen test, samples of which were taken no later than 1 x 24 hours before departure, or a certificate of negative results of the GeNose C19 test, handed in at the port before departure as a travel requirement and fill out the e-HAC Indonesia;

4. For ordinary trips by sea for limited navigation within the same district/county/province or by land transport, both private and public in the area of urban agglomeration, it is not required to present a certificate of negative results of the RT-PCR test / rapid antigen test / GeNose C19 test as a condition of travel, but if necessary A random test will be conducted by the regional COVID-19 task force;

5. Travelers traveling by intercity trains must present a certificate of negative results of the RT-PCR test / express antigen test, samples of which were taken within no more than 1 x 24 hours before departure, or a certificate of negative results of the GeNose C19 test, handed over at the Railway station before departure, as a prerequisite for travel;

6. Passengers on public land transport will be subjected to a random rapid antigen test/GeNose C19 test if it is determined necessary by the Regional COVID-19 Task Force;

7. Individuals traveling by private land transport are advised to carry out RT-PCR tests or rapid antigen tests, samples of which are taken within a maximum of 1 x 24 hours before departure, or the GeNose C19 test as a travel requirement, and random tests will be conducted by the Regional COVID-19 Task Force if necessary;

8. It is recommended to fill out the e-HAC Indonesia for travelers using all types of public and private land transport, with the exception of travelers by air and sea, who are required to fill out the e-HAC Indonesia;

9. Children under 5 years of age are not required to take the RT-PCR test / rapid antigen test / GeNose C19 test as a condition for traveling within the country;

10. If the traveler's RT-PCR test / rapid antigen test / GeNose C19 test is negative, but symptoms appear, the traveler cannot continue the trip and must conduct RT-PCR diagnostic tests and self-isolation while waiting for the examination result.