COVID-19 Rises Again, Do You Agree With PCR Returning to Travel Requirements?

2022-06-25 05:29:11 By : Ms. Sophie Sun

Corona in Indonesia has recently increased significantly, weekly COVID-19 cases recorded an increase of 105 percent.Meanwhile, positive COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday (22/6) almost exceeded two thousand cases.The expert urges the government to re-tighten the COVID-19 restrictions, one of which is the travel conditions policy.The COVID-19 Alert and Alert Task Force Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) Erlina Burhan assessed that a negative COVID-19 PCR test should naturally become a requirement for domestic travelers (PPDN).Moreover, he said the price of PCR is now much cheaper."The negative PCR rule for travelers has been reinstated, considering that the price of the test is getting cheaper," he said at a press conference in Central Jakarta, Tuesday (21/6/2022).Meanwhile, epidemiologist Dicky Budiman from Australia's Griffith University, also asked the government to tighten it.However, in terms of the COVID-19 test, according to him, there is no need to require a PCR test."There's no need for PCR, yes, the rapid antigen test is quite accurate, and the price is relatively inexpensive, unless the government pays for the PCR, it's okay, but if it's mandatory for the public, it's a rapid antigen test," explained Dicky."In my opinion, with the fixed provisions, which are two doses, let alone 3 doses, incentives can still be given in the form of not requiring a rapid antigen test as long as a mask is mandatory, the number of limitations depending on capacity must still exist, because once again this is a serious threat to Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 ," he explained.Responding to this, the spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, did not rule out the possibility of a strict policy if the Corona cases increased sharply again."The government continues to monitor the development of COVID-19 cases and prepare mitigation measures according to PPKM level policies," said Wiku when contacted on Wednesday (22/6/2022)."We also always consult with health experts and professional associations regarding the best treatment steps. It is possible that there will be tightened screening or other mitigation measures if cases continue to increase," he continued.So, how about detikers?Do you agree that PCR is again required to be a travel requirement?Write in the comments column, yes.