Jokowi Revokes Pandemic Status, Health Office Calls PCR-Antigen At The Puskesmas Still Free As Long As Stocks Still Exist

UNSPLASH/Mufid Majnun ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has revoked the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Indonesia is starting to enter an endemic period of COVID-19.

The policy of dealing with the corona virus when it has entered the endemic period is still being discussed by the government. However, for PCR and antigen test services at local government health facilities such as health centers, especially in Jakarta, they are still free of charge.

This was revealed by the Head of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Immunization Section of the DKI Jakarta Health Service (Dinkes) Ngabila Salama.

"If there are still government logistics that can be used, such as PCR and antigens for government services, they may be free until they run out," Ngabila told reporters, Wednesday, June 21.

According to him, the government does not yet have the latest policy regarding vaccination services. Until now, the stock of the first to fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccination for the general public aged 18 years and over is still free.

"For the 6-month-old to 17-year-old vaccination policy, whether free or paid, what brand, how many times, we are waiting for further regulations that may be issued," said Ngabila.

Ngabila mengatalankan kemungkinan regulasi baru mengenai COVID-19 akan diberlakukan secara efektif per 1 Juli mendatang.

"Regarding tests, tracking, and isolation, the regulations need to be updated. If it is endemic, COVID-19 should be considered a regular cold cough. So, it is possible that the antigen and PCR tests on the suspect and close contacts will be paid, treatment will also pay independently," he explained.

Jokowi previously said that the government had taken the decision to revoke the pandemic status by considering the number of daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 which was close to nil. Jokowi said the survey results showed that 99 percent of Indonesians already had COVID-19 antibodies

The UN Agency for World Health (WHO), said Jokowi, has also revoked the public health emergency of international concern status.

Nevertheless, President Jokowi asked the public to remain careful and continue to carry out healthy and clean living behavior.

"Of course, with this decision, the national economy will move better and improve the status of the people's social economy," said Jokowi.