East Java Deputy Governor Considers Extending Suramadu Blocking Until Eid Al-Adha

JAKARTA - The Surabaya City Government and Bangkalan Regency held a screening for travelers between Surabaya and Madura in Suramadu. This follows the high number of COVID-19 cases in Bangkalan, Madura.

Everyone who passes through Suramadu, both from Surabaya and Madura, must show a negative result of COVID-19. If they do not have test results, they will be tested on the spot.

Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Dardak opened up the opportunity to extend the partition until Eid al-Adha.

"There is a possibility, we will continue to review that currently, the isolation system is still in effect, there is an obligation to provide evidence of rapid antigen tests to be able to drive both from Surabaya to Bangkalan and vice versa, this will be a consideration whether until Eid al-Adha, if later there is still a risk of spreading COVID-19 high", said Emil in a virtual discussion, Thursday, June 17.

Currently, the East Java Provincial Government is still reviewing the development of the spread of the coronavirus together with the East Java Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), epidemiologists, and community leaders.

"If this is maintained, then anyone who wants to cross during the Eid al-Adha must fulfill a rapid antigen test", said Emil.

Currently, there are 3.676 active cases of COVID-19 in East Java, with a total of 161.385 confirmed cases. A total of 145.728 cases have recovered or by 90.3 percent and there are 11.981 cases of death or 7.42 percent in East Java.

Emil Dardak said his party was anticipating the limitations of isolation beds and the treatment of COVID-19 patients at referral hospitals.

"There is a danger that when cases increase and hospitals experience overcapacity, this will cause the case fatality rate to also increase in percentage terms, this is why we really mapped the whole thing", he said.

"Therefore, the burden (of bed occupancy) at the hospital can be shared with isolation facilities, so that the hospital can really serve those who need more intensive treatment", added Emil Dardak.