President Jokowi Calls for Lower PCR Test Costs

TANGKAPAN LAYAR KANAL YOUTUBE SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS —– As many as 105 regencies and cities have seen spikes in Covid-19 cases in the last two weeks. Alongside the increasing mobility, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called for cuts in the price of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests, reduced to Rp 300,000.

“The President has reminded us to stay vigilant and cautious in case another wave is coming. This is in relation to the increase in cases seen in 105 regencies and cities,” said Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in an online press conference with Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, following a meeting with Jokowi on Monday (25/10/2021).

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According to Luhut, Jokowi also requested that PCR test costs be reduced to Rp 300,000 and its results valid for 3 x 24 hours for travel by plane. “We have received a lot of feedback and criticism regarding this PCR policy,” he said.

Currently, PCR prices stand at Rp 495,000 (US$35) in Java and Bali. Meanwhile, outside Java and Bali the test costs Rp 525,000.

Budi said the increase in Covid-19 cases seen in 105 regencies and cities was not yet a cause for alarm since it was still within the World Health Organization’s threshold. “Nevertheless, we are still anticipating [a rise in Covid-19 cases] so we do not become careless during this time of euphoria. We cannot allow the spike in cases in these 105 regencies and cities to grow out of control,” said Budi.

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

The Covid-19 Task Force officer at Tjilik Riwut Airport, Palangkaraya City, Central Kalimantan examines the PCR swab test document for arriving passengers, Monday (4/19/2021).

In terms of surveillance, he said the government was ensuring that all close contacts of Covid-19 patients were being tested. “Secondly, the strategy we’re focusing on is to accelerate the vaccination rollout, especially for the elderly. They are the ones at high risk of being hospitalized should there be another spike,” he said.

In addition to adhering to health protocols and increasing testing and tracing, the public must also be aware when new variants enter the country, such as the Delta Plus variant.

On a separate note, YARSI University postgraduate director and University of Indonesia’s (UI) Faculty of Medicine professor, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, said Indonesia could dodge a third wave of infections if all parties worked together to minimize the risk of transmission. In addition to adhering to health protocols and increasing testing and tracing, the public must also be aware when new variants enter the country, such as the Delta Plus variant.

“Based on our experiences so far, Covid-19 cases increase when mobilization increases due to long holidays. There is also an increase in community activities where not everyone keeps their distance or wears their masks properly,” he said.

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According to Tjandra, seven factors influence how Covid-19 cases spike: public compliance with health protocols, how strictly enforced restrictions are on community activities, monitoring case data, controlling state entrances and the anticipation of new variants.

Refusal

Meanwhile, the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) administration refused the policy for air, sea and land travelers to present a negative PCR test result. According to NTT Transportation Agency head Isyak Nuka, the cost of PCR tests – which ranges from Rp 500,000 to Rp 1.5 million – is a burden on the community.

In Bali, tourism businesses are also concerned that the mandatory PCR test for travelers will negatively impact the planned visits of tourists to Bali.

Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo

Airplane passengers queue to enter the aircraft cabin at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Monday (27/9/2021).

“The PCR test requirement is definitely an additional burden for those who plan to go on vacation in Bali with their families,” said Bali Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) deputy chairman I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya. (WKM/AIK/KOR/COK)

(This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia).