The rapid testing today is for polling station supervisors from 10 sub-districts, while the rapid testing for those from the other 11 sub-districts will be tomorrowMedan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) - As many as 4,303 supervisors of the Medan city mayoral election, scheduled for December 9, 2020, began taking rapid tests for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday.
Chief of the Medan City Election Watchdog (Bawaslu) Payung Harahap stated on Thursday that the two-day COVID-19 rapid testing was held at different locations in the city and involved the medical team of the city's COVID-19 task force.
The COVID-19 rapid testing is being conducted to ensure that polling stations will be free from the spread of the virus during the polling day.
"The rapid testing today is for polling station supervisors from 10 sub-districts, while the rapid testing for those from the other 11 sub-districts will be held tomorrow," he stated.
The rapid testing is part of the polling station supervisors' preparations for the mayoral election December 9, 2020, he noted.
If some of the election supervisors are found reactive to COVID-19 during the rapid test, they are required to undergo the second phase of rapid test on December 3, 2020.
If they remain reactive to COVID-19, they will be subject to swab tests, he noted.
"If the COVID-19 task force recommends replacements, we will replace them immediately," he affirmed.
The Medan city mayoral election will be contested by candidate pair number 02, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution-Aulia Rachman, and candidate pair number 01, Akhyar Nasution-Salman Alfarisi.
In view of the continued spread of the novel coronavirus disease, President Joko Widodo has again urged the home minister, police chief, and COVID-19 task force to prioritize COVID-19 handling on voting day.
President Widodo has also highlighted the importance of strictly implementing the government's health protocols during the remaining days of campaigning and on voting day to prevent the emergence of new COVID-19 clusters.
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Translator: Nur Aprilliana BS/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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