Abrupt, Partial Requirement of Rapid Tests Raises Questions

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Prospective train passengers queue to carry out a rapid test at Pasar Senen Station, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (17/12/2020).

In a bid to suppress the transmission of COVID-19, the government is devising a regulation that would make a negative rapid antigen test result a requirement for travelers ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The government’s decision to tighten travel restrictions, which was agreed during a coordination meeting between the central and regional governments on 17 December 2020, is deemed appropriate. However, the policy was issued rather abruptly, seemingly with little to no proper preparation.

The country recorded spikes in COVID-19 cases after each of the recent long weekends. If the Christmas and New Year holidays are not immediately anticipated, the country will see another spike, which could be catastrophic for the country.

Also read: Covis-19 Pandemic: The Bright Alleyway Scenario

Since November, the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases has continuously increased. The average number of new confirmed cases per day in the past week as of 19 December was 6,616 cases. Meanwhile, as of 1 November, the average number of cases per day was 3,296. The death toll has also increased. In the past week, as of 19 December, the average number of deaths per day was 143, up from 92 deaths as of 1 November.

Unlike PCR tests, which may take hours or even days to process, antigen tests can provide results within 15 minutes.

Some experts have argued that the rapid antigen test can help prevent further spread of the coronavirus. The rapid antigen test, besides being more affordable, also provides faster results than the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The government has set the price ceiling for individually requested COVID-19 antigen tests at Rp 250,000 in Java and Rp 275,000 elsewhere. Meanwhile, the ceiling price for PCR tests is Rp 900,000. Unlike PCR tests, which may take hours or even days to process, antigen tests can provide results within 15 minutes.

With the regulation on mandatory negative antigen test results for travelers in a number of areas, those who have been infected with COVID-19 will be detected and thus be prevented from transmitting the disease to people in their destination.

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, has completed the rapid test-based inspection service at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport with antigen rapid test service since Friday (18/12/2020).

A number of regions, such as Jakarta, West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java, Malang and Bali, have required travelers to present negative test results. However, many regions have no such regulation, including South Tangerang, which is adjacent to Jakarta. The implementation of this regulation is thus only partial.

Furthermore, the regulations imposed in each region also vary. Some regions accept rapid test results as valid for only three days, while others say they are valid for one or even two weeks. People are, thus, unsurprisingly confused by the disparity.

Also read: Nationwide Vaccinations to Begin in January

The sudden enforcement of the regulation is also a concern for tourism businesses, as tourists are likely to cancel trips. Had this regulation been prepared in advance, such an impact would have been minimized.

At this uncertain time, indeed, we must be ready for sudden changes. However, that does not mean that everything can be done without preparation. Proper, quick and well-planned policies are necessary.

Agility and harmony are required in handling a pandemic. This is where the government’s credibility is tested.