Bandung City Government Implements Randomized Tests Again At Schools To Anticipate The Omicron Variant

BANDUNG - The Bandung City Government re-implemented random COVID-19 tests to students who took part in face-to-face learning (PTM) at schools to anticipate the spread of the Omicron variant.

The Acting Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana, said that currently there are six residents who have been confirmed as Omicron. This anticipation, he said, needs to be done considering the Omicron variant which is said to spread more quickly.

"Later, I will ask the Health Office (health office) to do another random test, yes, at schools that do PTM," Yana said, quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 20.

According to him, the six residents who were confirmed to have Omicron were suspected of being infected due to local transmission. Because according to them they do not have a history of traveling abroad.

That way, according to him, the Omicron variant has now been proven to exist in the community. Even so, he asked the public not to panic about this.

"I think it's just being vigilant, there's no need to panic, but I said the virus tends to mutate, whatever variant, but as long as we follow the health protocol, God willing, we will be spared," he said.

The six people were declared confirmed Omicron based on the results of the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) test conducted by the Regional Health Laboratory (Labkesda) of West Java. The six people are known to be residents of the city of Bandung.

In addition to random tests to students, Yana said that she would again tighten the working system of the State Civil Apparatus within the Bandung City Government.

Later the capacity of ASN working in the office will be reduced by 25 percent. So according to him, only 75 percent of ASN will be able to work in the office or Work From Office (WFO).

"Maybe next week, soon, we have to prepare the internal regulations first," he said.