Indonesian police caught a man who disguised himself as his wife in order to evade travel restrictions and board a Citilink domestic flight, a Jakarta’s official said.
The man, identified by his initials “DW,” is reportedly facing arrest and multiple charges.
He wore a full-face veil, also known as niqab, which covered him from head to toe in order to board a flight from Jakarta to Ternate, located in the northern Maluku’s island, on Sunday.
The man reportedly carried and used his wife’s identification and her Covid-free test certificate to be able to fly, said Halim Perdanakusuma Airport’s general manager Nandang Sukarna.
Authorities said the disguise was intended to enable him board the plane, avoiding pandemic controls, as he had allegedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
He decided to use his wife’s PCR test result and ID because she tested negative, the police report said.
A flight attendant reportedly saw DW changing clothes before leaving the plane.
He went into a bathroom an airplane bathroom and came out wearing men’s clothes, the source stated.
The person alerted security forces at the airport.
Nandang said the man’s intention was to use someone else’s negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to be enabled to fly.
Since the World Health Organization categorized Covid-19 as a pandemic, many governments banned domestic and international flights.
In most nations, people are required to submit documents and requirements to be authorized to fly, including Covid-19 negative test, health insurance covering Covid-19 treatment, among others.
DW was arrested after the plane landed and was ordered to undergo an antigen test upon disembarking, local media reported.
His Covid-19 test turned out positive and he was asked to self-isolate at home in Ternate City, where he will be supervised by Task Force officers.
Local police plans to prosecute the man once his self-isolation period finishes.
Indonesia’s government imposed travel restrictions last month after health authorities reported increasing Covid-19 cases.
The country’s case toll is lead by the most transmissible Delta variant, officials said.
Under Indonesia’s measures to curb the spread the Covid-19, airline passengers must show a Covid-free certificate and proof of vaccination before boarding flights.
