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West Java to conduct COVID-19 rapid tests at three stadiums
For humanity: Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) chairman Jusuf Kalla (second left), accompanied by Sofjan Wanandi (left) of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), inspects equipment for spraying disinfectant at the PMI headquarters on Jl
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or humanity: Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) chairman Jusuf Kalla (second left), accompanied by Sofjan Wanandi (left) of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), inspects equipment for spraying disinfectant at the PMI headquarters on Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, on Monday. Kalla also inspected the progress of the construction of tents that will be used as PMI logistics warehouses.(JP/P.J. Leo)
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil says his administration plans to conduct rapid tests to detect COVID-19 in sports stadiums as soon as his area receives testing kits from the central government.
For now, the testing will be prioritized for people in Greater Jakarta and Greater Bandung since both areas have the most COVID-19 cases based on data from the Health Ministry. Out of 55 positive cases in West Java, 41 are from Bogor, Depok and Bekasi.
“The rest of them are not from Bogor, Depok or Bekasi. Their places of origin have been confirmed through their identity cards,” Ridwan said during a coordination meeting on Sunday.
The West Java administration is reportedly to receive 8,000 to 10,000 rapid test kits from Jakarta.
The administration is to distribute the test kits in three venues, namely the Patriot Candrabaga Stadium in Bekasi, the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor and the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung. Each location is to receive 2,000.
The Candrabaga Stadium is to be used to test those from Bekasi, Bekasi regency and Karawang. The Pakansari Stadium is to be used to test those from Bogor city, Bogor regency and Depok, while the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium is to be used to test those from the Greater Bandung area.
Ridwan stated that the stadiums were chosen as the testing venues after learning from the experiences of other countries in conducting mass testing. The governor was convinced of the use of sports stadiums as the most effective way to conduct testing because they minimize close-ranged physical interaction among people throughout the event.
Ridwan added that the testing would be conducted with a drive-through scheme, by which individuals are to be tested while they are inside their cars.
“The rapid test will use blood samples. It can be detected within minutes. If the result is negative, they are allowed to go home. But if the result is positive, they have to move to another location in the stadium,” he said.
Ridwan had asked each regional government to assign at least 30 officers to prepare for the test. They will be tasked with greeting the public, conducting the tests, managing the incoming vehicles and sending the people off. He suggested that people who wished to be tested should register online.
If there is an individual who wants to participate but they do not possess a car, Ridwan said he would ask the community unit head to give them a ride. He said he hoped many people would be able to get tested within a short time.
“I already consulted with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency [over the testing procedure].
“We will manage the distance between each vehicle. Hopefully we will be able to receive the results within days,” Ridwan said.
The mass testing mechanism in West Java is to be different from Jakarta as each regional administration was welcome to create its own model, added the governor.
The rapid test would prioritize people who have had contact with COVID-19 patients, those who are under COVID-19 monitoring and those who have contact with people under COVID-19 monitoring.
The next batch of the testing is aimed at medical workers who have direct interaction with COVID-19 patients.
“The third is [for those working in] transportation, such as in terminals and gates. And the next test is for those whose line of work requires them to interact with a lot of people, such as ulema,” Ridwan said. (dpk)
