"The Health Ministry has issued a directive on contact tracing for quarantine and isolation purposes to expedite COVID-19 handling in our country. The guide also includes information about situations considered as close contact," Asmoro informed during a press conference broadcast by RRI Net Official YouTube channel in Jakarta on Monday.
The guidance also defines direct physical contact with a person confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, such as shaking and holding hands, as well as hugging, as close contact, she said.
"Persons who cater to a COVID-19 patient without proper personal protection equipment will also be regarded as a close contact of the confirmed case," the spokesperson added.
Besides definitions enumerated by the ministry's guide, other conditions that can be classified as close contact will be defined by the assessment of risk conducted through epidemiological investigation at the local level, she informed.
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Asmoro, who is also the government's ambassador for behavioral change, said that the interaction period considered as close contact with a confirmed case will be up to two days before the appearance of symptoms and 14 days after the appearance of symptoms or until the confirmed patient undergoes isolation.
"The interaction period considered as close contact for asymptomatic cases will be two days before their COVID-19 test yields a positive result and up to the next 14 days or until the person with the confirmed case undergoes isolation," the spokesperson added.
Asmoro highlighted that interactions where social distancing measures are followed, with masks worn properly and no interactions over an extended period, will not be regarded as close contact.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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