Supports Mandatory PCR Testing For Aviation, Golkar: Prevention Is Better Than Cure

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR from the Golkar Party faction, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, supports the obligation of PCR tests for airplane passengers who will travel. This view is different from the members of Commission IX of the DPR from the PKS and PKB factions who reject the issuance of the Minister of Home Affairs Instruction (Inmendagri) 53/2021 regarding PPKM Levels 3, 2, and 1 in Java and Bali so that all airplane passengers are required to undergo a PCR test 2x24 hours before departure. "Regarding the Ministry of Home Affairs, we take the positive side. We witnessed for ourselves when we opened processes and activities in public spaces, it was unavoidable that the potential for transmission would occur anywhere, in public facilities, in schools or on land, sea or air transportation or in other places. another," said Melki during a press conference at the Golkar DPP Office, Slipi, Jakarta, Friday, October 22. According to him, like providing an umbrella before it rains as people travel massively, the government anticipates new clusters of COVID-19 transmission by being required to bring the results of the PCR test before flying.

"What we see now is that when people move, they already have a mechanism called the PeduliLindung platform, as long as that actually happens we can still access someone. But he moves with the context of moving far away, especially since this is to flying places. I think this should be used because of PCR We have to use the swab pattern, prevention is better than cure," explained the head of the health commission in the DPR.

The NTT legislator emphasized that it is better to prevent the potential emergence of clusters than to be infected with COVID-19. "Rather than getting sick, it's more complicated," said Melki. Therefore, Melki understands, in the context of the Ministry of Home Affairs' decision, it is to prevent people who have the potential to be exposed to COVID-19 from public activities. Plus other meeting places such as schools and others. There are still efforts for us periodically once a week or twice at the office, at school there must be a swab or the antigen is random. We must think about this together," said Melki. "Don't look at the situation. This, we consider finished. Because it is better to prevent than to cure, it is better for us to detect early than he has seen again like the Delta case yesterday, "he continued.