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Depok, Bogor move rapid tests from sports stadiums to prevent COVID-19 transmission
The Bogor and Depok administrations said holding tests at sports stadiums posed a greater transmission risk.
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A man is sprayed with disinfectant outside a shopping mall in Jakarta on March 24, 2020. The administration has heightened measures to stop COVID-19 transmission in the worst-hit province. (JP/Seto Wardhana )
T
he Depok and Bogor regency administrations are planning to move the location for massive rapid COVID-19 testing to avoid large crowds that would be fertile ground for the coronavirus to spread.
The rapid testing in Depok, West Java, set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday, was initially planned to take place in the town square in Cilodong district.
However, Depok Mayor Mohamad Idris refused on Monday to use the town square and was planning to relocate it to public health centers (Puskesmas) for people being monitored and people exhibiting symptoms, and hospitals for supervised patients and health workers at increased risk of contracting the virus.
"The tests will be at all Puskesmas in Depok," he said as quoted by kompas.com.
The West Java administration announced on Sunday it would perform massive rapid testing, set to involve several cities and regencies, following the President's instruction to step up the country's COVID-19 testing efforts as the pandemic worsened.
Indonesia reported on Tuesday 107 new confirmed cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 686, according to the government's tracker covid19.go.id. West Java, the third-hardest-hit province, has reported 60 confirmed cases with 10 deaths as of Tuesday.
The rapid tests were also initially planned to be held at the Patriot Candrabaga Stadium in Bekasi, Pakansari Stadium in Bogor and Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung.
However, the Bogor regency administration has also refused to use Pakansari Stadium for the rapid tests, applying the same reasoning as the Depok mayor.
Bogor Regent Ade Yasin said holding the massive rapid testing at the stadium might expose residents to both monitored people and supervised patients, facilitating further spread of the coronavirus.
The Bogor regency administration suggested that monitored people and those who have been in close contact with COVID-19 patients be tested at their homes.
"We are not necessarily refusing. But after we make the assessment, I am not giving permission for Pakansari Stadium to be used for people passing by, because it puts our residents at higher risk [of contracting the disease]," Ade said.
The provincial administration is preparing up to 10,000 rapid test kits for the massive testing, which will involve a blood test, according to the governor. It is also planning to provide a drive-through service for the test. (dfr)
