The Covid-19 Handling Task Force began to allow air transportation travelers to use the GeNose covid-19 detection tool as a condition for travel. The regulation is contained in the Officer Unit Circular Letter Number 12 of 2021. The letter, which was signed by the Head of the Covid-19 Officer Doni Monardo on March 26, said that currently land, sea and air transportation travelers can choose the option of examining Covid-19 through PCR tests, rapid antigen tests, and GeNose.
As previously, the use of the GeNose test results for Covid-19 screening was initially only used for long-distance train passengers since last January 26. “Air transport travelers must show a certificate of negative RT-PCR test results, the samples taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before departure, or negative results of the rapid antigen test, the samples taken within a maximum period of 2 x 24 hours before departure, or a negative result of the GeNose C19 test at the airport before departure as a travel requirement and filling out Indonesia’s e-HAC, “reads protocol number 3 letter b number SE Number 12 Year 2021, quoted by CNNIndonesia.com, Monday (29/3).
However, the three options for the traveler’s requirements do not specifically apply to routine trips on the island of Java with the sea transportation mode which aims to serve limited inter-island shipping, or between domestic ports within an agglomeration area. They are not asked to bring a covid-19 screening letter as a condition of travel, but the regional Covid-19 Task Force will carry out random tests, if deemed necessary.
The Covid-19 negative letter rules only apply to adolescents and adults. Children under 5 years of age are not required to take a PCR test, rapid antigen test, or GeNose. “This circular is effective starting April 1, 2021 until the specified time, then according to the needs and / or with the latest developments in the field,” said the last letter of the SE. GeNose is a covid-19 detection tool made by academics at Gadjah Mada University.
How it works, a person is asked to exhale into a tube during the test. Then the machine will detect the presence of the corona virus in the tube. The use of GeNose is considered as a cheap alternative with a price of up to IDR 30 thousand.
Source : BBC Indonesia
