The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) has declared the feasibility of PCR or swab tests to be carried out on children
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 Handling Task Force has confirmed that children aged below 12 years have been allowed to travel in all modes of transportation in accordance with the applicable regulations.



"Now, children aged below 12 have been permitted to travel," spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Wiku Adisasmito stated during an online press conference accessed from here on Thursday.



He said children aged below 12 can travel if they have a negative COVID-19 test result.



"The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) has declared the feasibility of PCR or swab tests to be carried out on children," he revealed.


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According to Adisasmito, the government has chosen to allow children to travel anticipating possible urgent and important circumstances where travel becomes essential.



"For example, parents' job transfers, work, or business trips and others," he explained.



However, the spokesperson appealed to parents to stay alert and careful while traveling with children.



"They (children) can travel, but they need to be in a healthy condition and be careful," he remarked.

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Earlier, an epidemiologist at the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, had said that parents should always remind their children to comply with the health protocols continuously.



"Wear a mask, keep your distance, and avoid crowds," he said.


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He also advised children to stay indoors. If children play outside the house, they must always be under the supervision of their parents, he added.



The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as of October 21, 2021, at least 4,237,834 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,079,120 people recovered, and 143,120 people succumbed to the deadly virus.


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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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