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An expert staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Fadjar Dwi Wishnuwardhani. ANTARA/HO-the Presidential Staff Office/sh - 

Internationally recognized vaccine certificate is important for Indonesians traveling abroad, expert staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Fadjar Dwi Wishnuwardhani stated.

The KSP has initiated and overseen the process of issuance of international vaccine certificates for Indonesian overseas travelers and migrant workers, he remarked.

"The discussion on Indonesia's vaccine certificates that are internationally recognized has been conducted since May 2021," Wishnuwardhani noted in a statement, Saturday.

The discussion on international vaccines began after the KSP facilitated a meeting between the Health Ministry, Manpower Ministry, and representatives of prospective migrant workers (CPMI) in early May 2021.

"At that time, we have held discussions related to PCR tests for CPMI departing through the IJEPA (Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement), and the recognition of vaccines and PCR tests for COVID-19 by the Japanese government," he explained.

Since then, he noted that parallel discussions were held regarding the implementation of the evaluation of tests and vaccines for migrant workers as well as resolving the problem of vaccine certificates on PeduliLindungi application that has neither been recognized nor readable by other countries.

"The meeting recommended to the Health Ministry and the Manpower Ministry to take steps, so that Indonesia's COVID-19 vaccine certificate can align with the WHO standards and can be read and recognized by other countries," he stated.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Agency (Aspataki) Saiful Mahfud has applauded the government for the issuance of internationally recognized vaccine certificates.

"With the issuance of international vaccine certificates, the placement of migrant workers can be started again," he noted.

The Health Ministry, in late January, had issued international vaccine certificates that are in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

The form and information listed on the certificate has been adjusted to the WHO standards, including its QR code. Hence, the certificate can be read and recognized abroad, it noted.

The certificate that can be downloaded on the PeduliLindungi application can be used by Overseas Travelers (PPLN), including migrant workers and umrah and hajj pilgrims, as proof that they have received complete primary vaccinations//ANT