MotoGP Racers Don't Wear Masks When They Meet Jokowi, The Palace Explains The Reason

President Jokowi with MotoGP racers (Photo: BPMI Setpres)

JAKARTA - The MotoGP racers who will compete at the Mandalika Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) do not wear masks when meeting President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace.

Marc Marquez and the other racers also did not wear masks when taking pictures with President Jokowi. Likewise, President Jokowi several times did not use a mask when taking pictures together.

Then what is the reason for the palace related to this?

Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media at the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin explained that the drivers had already tested for COVID-19 using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab method before meeting President Jokowi. In addition, Marc Marquez et al have also received a complete COVID-19 vaccine.

"They have PCR, they have complete vaccines. If they are not vaccinated they can't even enter us now. Everything is safe. The vaccines are complete. Everything is safe, God willing. So the drivers have been vaccinated and PCR," Bey said when confirmed by reporters, Wednesday, 16 March.

Bey emphasized that all health protocols were also maintained in this activity. Even if you take off your mask, as President Jokowi did when taking pictures with the racers, it's purely for the sake of documentation.

"Just when taking photos. Take off the mask when taking photos on the motorbike (President Jokowi removes the mask on his motorbike, ed)," he said.

"When walking to the front of the gate, wear a mask. After that, take off the riders, take off their masks because so that they can only show expression to the drivers. Even that, the location is open, keep your distance too. After that, wear a mask again," added Bey.

Previously reported, the MotoGP racers who will compete at the Mandalika Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have had a meeting with President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

The meeting between President Jokowi and racers such as Marc Marquez, Joan Mir, Alex Rins, Francesco Bagnaia, Jack Miller, Maverick Vinales, Alex Marquez, and Takaaki Nakagami was held at around 09.30 WIB. In addition to international riders, there are also two Indonesian racers, namely Moto3 rider Mario Aji and Idemitsu Asian Talent Cup racer Veda Ega Pratama.

On the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube show, Jokowi welcomed the racers on the veranda of the Merdeka Palace. He was seen wearing a red jacket produced by Rabbit and Wheels with the words G20, black pants, and sneakers. Don't forget Jokowi is wearing a brown mask.

Meanwhile, the racers wear race suits that they will use when paving the Mandalika Circuit. However, they do not appear to be wearing masks. Meanwhile, President Jokowi and his staff, such as SOE Minister Erick Thohir, still adhere to wearing masks.

Next, the event moved out and Jokowi had time to show off his green Kawasaki W175 motorcycle and they took a picture together. That's when President Jokowi took off the mask he was wearing.

Then, Jokowi took off his mask again when he took off the parade of MotoGP racers who walked down the protocol streets of Jakarta before finally heading to the HI Roundabout as the final point.