Caesar Akbar, Jakarta – Aviation observer and PT Asia Aero Technology commissioner Alvin Lie on Tuesday commented on the cost of Covid-19 PCR testing, which he suspects had been priced above its reasonable price range and that the government likely let this happen.

This issue grabbed public attention after the government mandated negative PCR test results for air travelers, which many believe to be a huge cost addition apart from the airfare itself.

"That the government in a short time can order for PCR tests to be reduced from Rp500,000 and then to Rp300,000 shows the government has known about overpriced PCR testing services, but decided to let it happen," said Lie to Tempo on October 26.

Alvin suspects the government seemingly let business in the Covdi-19 testing industry reek profit above the understandable price range. He strongly suggests the government to oversee testing tariffs through regulations and not just official government circulars as it would hold accountable businesses that do not adhere to the regulation.

The former Ombudsman member said there are Covid testing service providers that manipulate the upper ceiling for PCR tests, such as added costs for testing certificates and how fast testing results can be produced.

Alvin Lie is one of the most vocal figures in the aviation industry as he argues the PCR test requirement greatly affects the industry.

Previously reported, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Monday instructed air travel PCR testing costs to be reduced to Rp 300 thousand after the government policy was initially met with public outcry. This latest change was announced by Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan in a virtual press conference on Monday.

"The President's order is to reduce PCR testing costs down to Rp 300 thousand and will be eligible for 3-days in air travel," said Minister Pandjaitan, who is also the coordinator for the Java-Bali public activity restriction (PPKM), Antaranews reported.

Luhut explained that the requirement subjecting air travelers to Covid-19 PCR testing is mainly meant to balance the relaxed public activity restriction (PPKM), especially in the tourism sector.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1521350/aviation-observer-blasts-overpriced-services-by-pcr-test-provider