Jakarta (21/10) - The Ministry of Transportation has again updated the instructions for carrying out domestic travel by rail transportation during the Covid-19 pandemic by stipulating the Circular Letter of the Minister of Transportation Number 89 of 2021. The Circular Letter will take effect on October 21, 2021, to follow up on the Circular Letter of the Task Force Handling of Covid-19 Number 21 of 2021 concerning Provisions for Travel of Domestic People During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

"This policy is carried out so that train-mode travelers continue to apply health protocols during the pandemic, which is still not over," said the Director of Railway Traffic and Transportation of DJKA Danto Restyawan in Jakarta, (22/10).

In the Circular, it is explained that travelers using intercity trains from and to areas in Java Island and areas designated through the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs as areas with PPKM Level 4 and PPKM Level 3 categories are required to show a vaccine card (at least the first dose of vaccination). and a certificate of RT-PCR test results whose samples were taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before departure or negative results of rapid antigen tests whose samples were taken within a maximum period of 1 x 24 hours or at the station before departure. This requirement also applies to travelers using intercity trains from and to areas outside the island of Java as well as areas designated through the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs as PPKM Level I and PPKM Level 2 categories. or agglomeration areas and Urban Local Railways whose services are outside the agglomeration, train passengers are only required to show the first dose of vaccine card and use the Peduli Lindungi application.

In general, there has not been much change in the provisions of the requirements for people by train, only now children under 12 years of age are allowed to board the train while still following applicable regulations, such as maintaining health protocols and negative antigen tests results. “In this circular letter, the Government also obliges travelers both by intercity trains, commuter trains and within agglomeration areas or areas and Urban Local Trains whose services are outside the agglomeration to use the PeduliLindung application as a condition of travel, except for passengers under 12 (twelve) years of age. who are now allowed to take the train," said Danto.

Furthermore, Danto added, the requirement for a vaccine card is exempted for travelers under the age of 12, and travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases (travelers who cannot receive vaccines must attach a doctor's certificate from the Government Hospital).
"For the load factor, it is still the same as the previous rule, a maximum of 70% for intercity trains, a maximum of 32% for commuter transportation within agglomeration areas or areas and Electric Rail Trains (KRL) and a maximum of 50% for Urban Local Trains. The government also ensures that the operator of railway facilities strictly implements health protocols during the trip and regulates the mechanism for checking these requirements at the station," concluded Danto. (spn/wid)