Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono said that his office would take no chances in order to minimize the risk of transmission, as guests of the President are now obliged to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests.

“Whoever will meet the President in person will need to undergo a swab test [prior to the meeting] and a rapid test on the day, even though they have already been tested,” Heru said in a recent statement to the press.

He also gave an assurance that physical distancing measures, proper face cover with masks and handwashing protocols were also being very strictly enforced.

The secretariat saw the shift in protocol after it emerged that two regional leaders were confirmed to have contracted the disease just days after meeting with Jokowi.

Riau Islands Governor Isdianto tested positive with COVID-19 four days after attending a swearing-in ceremony at the State Palace on July 27, while Surakarta Deputy Mayor Achmad Purnomo was tested on July 18. His results came back positive on July 23 – a week after meeting the President on July 16.

Jokowi himself took a swab test the same day and Achmad revealed to the press that he was infected with the disease, and palace officials were quick to dismiss any more speculation that the President may be infected as well.

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