ER
EVEN THOUGH it has fallen, the PCR test rate is still considered expensive. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also asked that the price of the corona virus (COVID-19) test using the PCR method be lowered again.
Previously, the government had set a price limit for PCR tests. The highest price for the PCR test is set by the Ministry of Health at IDR495,000 for Java and Bali, and IDR525,000 for outside Java and Bali.
“The President’s directive is that the PCR price can be reduced to IDR300,000 and is valid for 3×24 hours for plane trips,” said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan during a press conference, Monday (10/25).
The decline in PCR prices is a continuation of government policies. Previously, the government required the use of PCR test evidence as a condition for traveling domestically by plane to Java, Bali, and areas that apply the Level 3 Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).
This policy was taken by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Especially seeing the increase in community mobility after the easing.
“This is primarily aimed at balancing the relaxation carried out on community activities, especially in the tourism sector,” said Luhut, who is also the coordinator of PPKM Java and Bali.
Luhut added, ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays, there is a potential for an increase in COVID-19 cases. Based on a survey by the Ministry of Transportation, there is a possibility of 19.9 million trips during the Naru holiday in Java and Bali.
Meanwhile, for the Jabodetabek area, there is a potential of 4.45 million trips during Nataru. Luhut also revealed that the current mobility in Bali is the same as last year’s Christmas and New Year holiday.
Last year’s Christmas and New Year holiday, there was an increase in COVID-19 cases. This happened despite the mandatory PCR test policy for travellers.
“Mobility in Bali is now the same as last year’s Christmas and New Year, and will continue to increase until the end of this year, thereby increasing the risk of an increase in cases,” Luhut explained.
Luhut ensured that the policy taken regarding the mandatory PCR test for travellers was the right thing. This refers to the increase in cases that are starting to occur in other countries at this time. [antaranews/photo special]
