Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Provides Covid-19 Rapid Test Services

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s main airport Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is providing rapid test services for airline passengers.

Rapid tests are used to detect coronavirus and Indonesia has pushed for more aggressive testing as the country faces a growing number of new daily Covid-19 infections.

The rapid test service at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has been made available due to new regulations for using air transportation.

Read also: Survey: Indonesians Ready to Travel during New Normal

In the Decree of National Covid-19 Task Force Number 7 Year 2020, stricter requirements are imposed on airline passengers.

Among them is a statement letter proving the individual has a non-reactive result based on a rapid test.

The letter must be made at a maximum of three days before an individual’s departure date.

Branch Communication and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Manager Haerul Anwar said that there are two locations to take the rapid test.

“There is one at Terminal 2 at the Arrival area near Terminal 2E and another one is at Terminal 3 near the Umrah Lounge. The rapid test fee is Rp 225,000 and you can pay an extra Rp 55,000 for a statement letter declaring you are Covid-19 free. That is optional,” said Haerul.

The rapid test service at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is open 24 hours a day, but passengers are recommended to come a few hours before their departure.

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“There are terms to undergo the rapid test, just go directly to one of the centers. It takes 20-25 minutes until the results are out,” said Haerul.

Haerul shared the availability of the rapid test centers at the airport is to provide greater convenience to airline passengers.

This is mainly due to the additional paperwork needed to fly amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to Haerul, the rapid test statement letter is one of the biggest challenges for airline passengers since the validity date cannot exceed three days.

“Now with the rapid test services available at the terminal, it will hopefully assist airline passengers that perhaps do not have a rapid test statement letter," said Haerul.

"Hopefully, it can help those whose statement letters have expired. At least passengers can receive the rapid test result quickly and without leaving the airport,” said Haerul.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II shared on June 16 that it is looking to accommodate passengers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Read also: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Gets Innovative in the New Normal

Other plans outside of the rapid test services include the sale of masks and personal protective equipment.

Angkasa Pura II has voiced plans to have a vending machine that will retail masks, face shields, antiseptic gloves, and antiseptic mouthwash at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. 

(Writer: Nabilla Ramadhian | Editor: Kahfi Dirga Cahya) 

Source: https://travel.kompas.com/read/2020/06/24/160500127/penumpang-pesawat-bisa-rapid-test-di-bandara-soekarno-hatta-berapa-biayanya-