Soekarno-Hatta Airport Reinstates Health Standards for International Travellers

Tangerang (ANTARA) - The Main Health Quarantine Centre (BBKK) at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Soetta) in Tangerang, Banten, has reinstated health standards for air travellers arriving from abroad as a measure to anticipate the emergence of Hantavirus transmission cases.

This action follows the World Health Organisation (WHO) identifying transmission cases involving three cruise ship passengers who died from the virus.

“We at Soekarno-Hatta have already prepared. The first step is through the completion of health declarations in the SatuSehat application. From there, we can assess the risk from that flight, whether there are any at-risk individuals or not. Secondly, upon disembarking, there is monitoring of signs and symptoms via thermal scanners and visual observation,” said the Head of BBKK Soetta, Naning Nugrahini, in Tangerang on Monday.

She explained that as a precautionary measure for findings of cases among travellers exhibiting signs and symptoms related to the virus, her team would conduct further examinations by doctors for in-depth checks.

According to Naning, Soekarno-Hatta Airport has a dedicated evaluation pathway for infectious diseases. If an infectious disease is identified, further handling will be carried out.

“Then we also have what is called a special ambulance for infectious diseases. Because the people we transport, those we refer, are individuals with infectious diseases,” she stated.

“In the infectious disease ambulance, there is a decontamination system so that viruses, bacteria, or germs originating from the person entering the ambulance whom we suspect can be decontaminated, thus preventing transmission to others,” she added.

Nevertheless, Naning urged air travellers to remain vigilant and adhere to health protocols. This is because Hantavirus is transmitted through urine, saliva, and contamination from rodents.

“So we are tightening surveillance on countries where Hanta virus has been found or identified, such as the United States, Argentina, Uruguay, and one more, Panama. So there are four countries where we are applying extra tightening if there are direct flights to Soekarno-Hatta. But it is not impossible that if there are new ones, we will of course add or make corrections,” Naning revealed.