This PCR examination must be carried out no later than 1 x 24 hours, or one day before the opening of the eventJakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry has prepared a COVID-19 screening process for delegates who will attend the G20 Summit in Bali, which will include body temperature checks, antigen swab tests, and Polymerization Chain Reaction (PCR) swab tests.
The summit is scheduled to be held on Bali Island, one of the world's most famous tourist resort, on November 15 and 16, 2022,
A PCR examination will be necessary for all delegates who will meet with heads of state and heads of government of G20 nations.
"This PCR examination must be carried out no later than 1 x 24 hours, or one day before the opening of the event," the ministry's director of health surveillance and quarantine, Achmad Farchanny, informed at an online press conference on “Health Protocols at the G20 Summit” here on Thursday.
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Apart from PCR, the ministry will provide rapid antigen kits at hotels where the delegates will stay. If needed, the delegates could also perform the antigen self-test independently at their hotels.
“We have also prepared an antigen self-test. There are four thousand rapid-antigen kits with barcodes from the PeduliLindungi team, which we distribute to all hotels, where the delegates stay," Farchanny informed.
A PCR test may also be carried out if delegates are suspected of being COVID-19 positive following body temperature checks at Ngurah Rai Airport upon arrival.
He said the test can be carried out directly at the airport. Delegates who are suspected of being COVID-19 positive will be allowed to wait for the results of the swab test at the hotel, but they will be advised not to leave the hotel room until their PCR test shows a negative result.
Fachranny said that the PCR examination facilities will not only be provided during the event, but also before the delegations return. Although the PCR examination will not be a requirement for returning home, the ministry will still arrange it for delegates who need it.
"There will be exceptions in PCR tests for heads of state, heads of government, and those at the same level. Their swab tests can be taken by a medical team or health worker from the country of origin. We will bring the results of the swab test for PCR examination at designated laboratories," he disclosed.
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He said that the government has prepared procedures for handling positive cases of COVID-19 during the event. Delegates who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms will be allowed to conduct self-isolation at a hotel or at a designated hospital.
"However, if delegates are found to be positive for COVID-19 with moderate and severe symptoms, we will immediately refer them to the designated hospital," Fachranny informed.
In implementing the health protocols, the government will prioritize three aspects: detection and surveillance, special examinations for COVID-19, and handling positive cases of COVID-19, he said.
"For detection and surveillance, we are strengthening health quarantine supervision, starting from the arrival at the airport entrance," he added.
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In addition, the government will conduct surveillance of health risk factors by controlling vectors and checking food and beverages at the event location, as well as conducting swab checks, tracing, and monitoring of positive cases of COVID-19.
A total of seven health laboratories have been prepared at Bali Mandara Hospital, Warmadewa University, Ngoerah Respiratory Center General Hospital, Mangusada Regional Hospital, Wangaya Hospital, and Udayana State University Hospital for PCR examinations ahead of the summit. Their combined capacity for PCR examination is 2,160 specimens per day.
"We will receive assistance for field PCR examination with a capacity of 1,500 specimens per day. In addition, the government has also prepared 25 thousand reagents for PCR examination," he added.
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Translator: Rizka Khaerunnisa, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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