Indonesia adds more Ramadan travel restrictions

Indonesia has added more travel restrictions to counter the spread of Covid-19 during the current Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which will further curb transportation fuel demand.

Indonesia is Asia-Pacific's largest gasoline buyer, importing 8mn-10mn bl/month (263,000-330,000 b/d).

There will now be additional travel requirements for domestic travel during 22 April-5 May and 18-24 May. People travelling during these periods will be required to show a certificate of a negative Covid-19 result, tested 24 hours before departure. The initial ban on travel during 6-17 May will still remain.

The addition came after the results of a survey by Indonesia's transportation ministry, which found that there were still groups of people planning to travel seven days before and after the end of Ramadan despite the initial ban.

But despite the additional travel requirements, market participants are still anticipating a pick-up in travel in the first week of May, as people can make journeys if they provide a negative Covid-19 test result.

By Aldric Chew