JAKARTA - Angkasa Pura Airports has tightened international passenger screening at all managed airports to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to Indonesia.
The screening was carried out by Angkasa Pura Airports in collaboration with the Port Health Office (KKP) by optimizing the use of thermal scanners installed in the arrival area to detect passengers’ body temperature and issuing Health Alert Card to monitor passengers’ health.
"As the operator of international airports which are the main gate for tourists to enter Indonesia, we are aware of the potential threat of the coronavirus. Tightening the passengers’ health monitoring is our step to prevent the virus from entering the country, especially from those whose countries have been affected,” said Angkasa Pura Airports president director Faik Fahmi.
Bali and Manado are destinations with the biggest number of Chinese tourists who arrived at airports managed by Angkasa Pura Airports. In 2019, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali was passed by more than 1.19 million passengers from China while Manado's Sam Ratulangi International Airport passed by more than 116,000 passengers.
"Ahead of Chinese New Year holiday, Bali and Manado have the potential to see increase in tourist arrivals from China so we need to be more alert," Faik said.
If there are passengers who are identified with a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius and have general symptoms of cough, fever, shortness of breath, and have a history of travel from China; Angkasa Pura Airports will directly coordinate with the local Port Health Office for further handling.
The novel coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China and has spread to several countries in Asia such as Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. People infected with the virus show symptoms of common illnesses such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath. The virus can also cause pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
"We urge every passenger, especially Indonesian citizens who will travel or return from abroad, to follow the development of the coronavirus. We also remind you to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, always wash your hands, maintain a healthy body condition and report health condition to the airlines and airport officials if you feel that you have symptoms of coronavirus,” Faik added.
