Jakarta, Batamnews - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has officially set the highest tariff for the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, which is IDR 275,000 for Java and Bali, and IDR 300 thousand for outside Java-Bali.

The determination of the maximum tariff limit for this latest PCR test has taken into account several aspects. Some are the cost of taking service components, HR services, reagents, consumables, to other cost components.

Even so, this amount will be reviewed by the government periodically.

"From the results of the evaluation, we agreed that the HET RT PCR is IDR 275,000 for Java-Bali and IDR 300 thousand outside Java-Bali," said Director General of Health Services Prof. Abdul Kadir in a virtual press conference, Wednesday (27/10/2021).

Previously, it was reported that President Joko Widodo asked for the price of the PCR test to be reduced to Rp. 300,000 following the issuance of new travel regulations during the PPKM period. In addition, Jokowi also ordered the validity period of the PCR test to be 3 x 24 hours for plane trips.

The request for a reduction in price and the PCR terms of validity for this trip responded to a flood of criticism from the new boarding rules. Not only that, the PCR provisions for travel are planned to be applied to other modes of transportation.

For the record, the PCR requirements for airplane travel only apply to PPKM level 3 and 4 areas, while for PPKM level 1 and 2 areas, it is allowed to use rapid antigen tests.