JAKARTA: The Indonesian government has set a rule that only those who have at least received the first dose of the vaccine are allowed to travel long distances or across the province.

Following the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, the rule was enforced for travel using all types of transportation in Java and Bali, in effect till July 30.

The condition is enshrined in a circular published by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment regarding community activity guidelines for the period of Emergency Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM Darurat).

For aircraft passengers, they are also required to undergo swab test or PCR, while those who use land transport, including personal vehicles, are required to perform antigen test.

On Thursday (July 1), Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the implementation of PPKM Darurat to address the surge in COVID-19 cases in Java and Bali.

Among the rules imposed are the closure of shopping malls, houses of worship, and tourism-related establishments and recreational places; the full establishment of online learning, the implementation of 100 per cent work from home for non-essential sectors, and prohibition on dining-in at at restaurants, eateries or stalls.

The increase in new cases over the last two weeks has been linked to the activity of travelling to hometowns during the last Aidilfitri celebrations, and the fast-spreading Delta variant.



According to the data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency via its Twitter account @BNPB_Indonesia, as of yesterday, the overall positive cases in Indonesia have now risen to 2,228,938 while the number of deaths now stands at 59,534 people.

A total of 25,830 new positive cases were recorded yesterday - the highest number since the first case was detected in March 2020.

To date, over 30.8 million people have received the first dose of the vaccine while over 13.7 million have also been given a second dose.

-- BERNAMA