Image: Anyone for a quick PCR Test. Credit: FKUI
While the flood gates seem to have opened in the past weeks, with hundreds of out-of-town cars blocking the Bali streets and domestic tourists, in particular, filling the restaurants and tourist hotspot all over town, the government appears to be trying to put the brakes on again.
It was announced on Monday night for the next two week period of the PPKM, until November 1, 2021, that the PCR tests are again the prerequisite to travel by air.
For the next two weeks, the government will no longer allow the use of rapid antigen tests to fly. Domestic travelers are now only allowed to travel with the RT-PCR test.
The new rules apply to regions with PPKM Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 status in Java-Bali.
In detail, the updated rule as of October 19, 2021, stipulates that domestic travelers using airplanes must show a vaccine card with at least the first dose. In addition, you must show a negative Covid-19 test result within a maximum of 2×24 hours before departure.
This provision applies to passengers with both the first and second doses of vaccine. Before it was possible to fly with the double shot vaccine card and antigen rapid test.
Land travel still only requires a negative antigen test, with policy makers saying truck drivers should report to authorities if they feel unwell.
Meanwhile, Bali dropped to PPKM Level 2 on Monday too. Since we have been living at around Level 1.5 since many weeks ago it is difficult to say in reality what difference that makes.
