The PCR price was asked to decrease to IDR 300,000

Rancakmedia.com – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered a reduction in PCR prices. This was conveyed following the debate around the obligation to include the results of the COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test as a prerequisite for traveling by plane.

In the new rules, travel by plane must contain PCR in the Java-Bali region. The results of antigen tests that previously required complete vaccination are no longer relevant.

Then what is the latest information on PCR prices that Jokowi has recently directed to lower? what about the reaction of the Ministry of Health? detikcom summarizes the following reviews.

Protests from various parties over the obligation for PCR to board a plane forced President Jokowi to speak up. Through the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Jokowi ordered that the PCR be reduced to IDR 300,000.

"The president's direction is to reduce PCR assets to IDR 300,000," Luhut said in a virtual press conference broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel, Monday (25/10/2021).

Luhut further indicated that Jokowi asked for an extension of time for the PCR test results. Jokowi asked that the PCR test results board the plane be increased to 3×24 hours.

"Valid 3×24 hours for airplane flights," he said.

Jokowi's proposal was based on the concerns of various parties regarding the obligation to submit PCR test requirements for traveling by plane. Furthermore, Luhut also highlighted why the PCR test is now a mandatory requirement for boarding a plane even though the number of corona cases in Indonesia has decreased in recent years.

"This PCR strategy was implemented because we felt the danger of spread was increasing as population movements had grown substantially in the previous few weeks," he added.

Ministry of Health Prepares PCR Price Reduction

Following up on Jokowi's decree regarding PCR prices, the Ministry of Health spoke up. Now being prepared to simplify the price of reagents.

“We are already planning ahead, including raising funds to simplify reagent pricing on the way. The most significant factor is due to most of the funds allocated for the PCR test.” On Tuesday (26/10/2021), Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Dante Saksono Harbuwono said at a Paku Integrity press conference at the KPK building.

Dante stated that his party would immediately follow up on the reduction in reagent prices. This step is done to prevent the next wave with thorough testing.

"So the reduction in reagent prices that is coming is a model that we will immediately follow up on so that the price of the PCR test is below or to Rp. 300 thousand, which is still Rp. 499 thousand," he added.

“What's the significance of this? Because the most important data for detecting Covid-19 to prevent the next wave from occurring is to carry out adequate testing. And if the price is reasonable, the general public can participate in this test, and our president's speech will be delivered technically," he continued.

Dante stated that everything Jokowi said had gone through careful calculations. The PCR request price fell to Rp. 300,000 is considered appropriate.