Bangkalan Regent Asks Village Head To Be Proactive To Succeed In Mass Rapid Test

BANGKALAN - Bangkalan Regent Abdul Latif Amin Imron asked village heads in 18 sub-districts to be proactive in the successful implementation of mass rapid tests as a form of early detection of the spread of COVID-19 in the region which has recently increased.

"We really hope for the active role of village heads in the implementation of the mass rapid test in Bangkalan, so that residents exposed to COVID-19 can be identified," said Bangkalan Regent Abdul Latif Amin Imron in Bangkalan, Madura, East Java, quoted by Antara, Monday, 14 June.

The request was made following the large number of residents who were not willing to undergo a rapid test by medical officers from the Bangkalan Regency Government's COVID-19 Task Force.

The village heads were asked by the regent to provide understanding to their residents that the COVID-19 test was not dangerous, because it was only to find out whether the residents were exposed or not.

"Don't give a wrong understanding. Explain that the spread of COVID-19 is fast, and to find out, a test must be carried out," said the regent.

In addition to asking the village heads to proactively assist officers in the successful implementation of the mass rapid test that the Bangkalan Regency Government is planning to carry out with the East Java Provincial Government, the regent has also asked for help from religious and community leaders in the westernmost district of Madura Island.

The Regent explained that religious leaders also have an important role in taking part in preventing the spread of COVID-19, through directives and counseling to the people of Bangkalan.

According to him, the spike in new COVID-19 cases in Bangkalan Regency is very high, so it has attracted the attention of the East Java Provincial Government and the central government, including the Minister of Health.

"A few days ago, the Indonesian Minister of Health went directly to Bangkalan, because the new case of COVID-19 in Bangkalan Regency is indeed very disturbing," said the regent.

According to the regent, the suggestion submitted by the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the East Java Provincial Government was to ask the Bangkalan Regency Government's COVID-19 Task Force to carry out 3T, namely testing, tracing and treatment to capture and find new cases as an effort to prevent wider spread.

"It is appropriate that the discipline of implementing health protocols must be part of the needs of our lives, without the need to be monitored and reminded. And this is what the village head and other elements need to pay attention to," said the regent

Previously, the Bangkalan Regent, the Police Chief and the Bangkalan Kodim Commander reviewed the condition of Bangkalan residents who were exposed to COVID-19 in Arosbaya District who were self-isolating at home.

The spike in COVID-19 cases in Bangkalan Regency has occurred since the Eid 1442 Hijri holiday, due to residents often crowding and neglecting to enforce health protocol discipline.

As of June 14, 2021, there were 483 active cases, out of the total number of active cases during the pandemic as many as 2,244 people.