Task Force Called Rizieq Shihab Crowd Makes Covid-19 Cases Spike

Doni Monardo (DOK. BNPB)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Doni Monardo said a number of crowd activities related to Muhammad Rizieq Shihab resulted in a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Initially Doni said that there was an increase in COVID-19 cases after the long holiday at the end of last October. However, the increase in cases was not significant.

"There has been an increase in cases during the last long holiday. However, if we look at the numbers we can still control it. This means that it is not higher than the long holiday in August before," said Doni in a press conference broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat Youtube, Monday, November 23.

However, there were a number of cases that contributed to the increase in cases during the long holiday, namely the activities of the Rizieq crowd that occurred in the last few days.

"Activities that increase the number of cases are especially in the Soetta Airport area, in the Petamburan Village area, and also in the Slipi area. Then also Tebet Timur, and Megamendung," said Doni.

Therefore, Doni asked all the people who participated in the crowd to voluntarily be willing to carry out the antigen swab that had been prepared by the DKI Jakarta Health Office in a number of puskesmas.

"The examination is carried out free of charge to the public. This is very important so that as soon as possible we can find out whether those who joined the crowd were exposed or not," said Doni.

Doni also asked local governments to take a firm stance to enforce the rules for handling and controlling COVID-19 that have been established in each region.

"We once again give our highest appreciation to the regions that have made efforts to enforce sanctions and laws against those who violate health protocols," he concluded.