Jakarta (ANTARA) - The selfies posted online by several MotoGP riders in Mandalika, Lombok, were taken inside the quarantine bubble area, COVID-19 Task Force's health handling head, Alexander Kaliaga Ginting, has informed.

"From what I know, they were in the quarantine bubble area. As long as the bubble is not 'broken,' they would stay in the bubble for five days," Ginting told ANTARA over a telephonic call here on Thursday.

The locations seen in the riders' selfies are around their hotel, which is inside the quarantine zone, Ginting said. "It seems like they were taking selfies in a beach near the hotel that conducts quarantine zone," he added.

The quarantine bubble zone aims to prevent interactions between Mandalika MotoGP riders with locals to avoid possible COVID-19 transmission, he explained.

"It is a stick-in-together bubble. Inside, they have already been vaccinated, and have negative results of PCR test and good clinical exam," he said.

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According to Ginting, there are mobility restrictions on everyone in the travel bubble, meaning they can only stay in the specified quarantine zones, based on the COVID-19 Task Force's Circular Letter No. 5 of 2022 on the health protocol for the Mandalika MotoGP bubble system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The bubble system starts from the airport to the hotel, then the circuit to the hotel, (and) the (riders) are tested either with antigen rapid or PCR test every day," he informed.

Earlier, the bubble system at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit drew mixed reactions from netizens.

Commenting on the pictures posted by the riders, some netizens expressed concern about the chances of interaction between the riders and locals that could lead to the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia pre-season will be held on February 11–13, 2022.

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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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