Our target of upholding health protocols is not to impose sanction but to conduct swab tests.
Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA) - More than 500 health protocol violators in Surabaya City, East Java, have been subject to antigen swab tests since January 2022.

"Our target of upholding health protocols is not to impose sanction but to conduct swab tests," acting chief of the Surabaya City Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Ridwan Mubarun noted in Surabaya on Monday.

The operations that target health protocol violators are simultaneously conducted in 31 sub-districts in Surabaya every weekend and on certain days. The operations involve 30 personnel from the city police, public order agency (Satpol PP), civilian community guard (linmas), and public health service post (puskesmas).

The operations are part of the efforts to contain the COVID-19 transmission rate in the capital of East Java Province, he noted.

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He appealed to Surabaya's residents, particularly health protocol violators, to stay disciplined since the COVID-19 pandemic was far from over.

The operations target motorists and residents in busy places.

If the motorists or residents receive a positive result in the antigen swab test, then they will immediately undergo a PCR swab test, he remarked.


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Surabaya Mayor Edi Cahyadi had earlier urged village and sub-district heads to block an area if two fresh COVID-19 cases are found within a neighborhood association. Meanwhile, residents living in the neighborhood association are required to take swab tests en masse.

Cahyadi reiterated his call for all parties to tighten health protocols. If based on the assessment of the COVID-19 situation, the positivity rate is less than 20 percent, then Surabaya will return to the level two of public activity restrictions.

"I urge sub-district, village, and puskesmas heads to implement health protocols stringently. Conduct tracking and tracing again," he affirmed.

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Translator: Abdul Hakim, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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