Prepare Tegal Residents For COVID-19 Random Test

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

TEGAL - The Tegal City Government, through the Health Office, plans to carry out a rapid diagnostic test for the corona virus or COVID-19 in various public places. Especially in shopping centers such as malls, and markets and other crowded places.

However, the Rapid test for Covid-19 was not carried out immediately. The activity is planned to be carried out next week.

"We will randomly take a rapid test for the mall and the market. Five or ten (locations). We will see what the results will be, ”said Deputy Mayor of Tegal, Jumadi, quoted from jatengprov.go.id, Monday, May 18.

Markets and malls were deliberately chosen as locations for the rapid test, because they are often used as places for people to gather and conduct transactions. The results of the rapid test are to ensure that there are no new positive cases of Covid-19, especially in the relaxation period of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) in Tegal City.

"To convince us that this relaxation does not create new problems. Because we have to stay alert. Especially in the surrounding area (around, red) of Tegal, namely Brebes and Tegal Regency, which are still in the red zone. So we need to be careful again, "said Wawali Jumadi.

Compared to swab tests and other tests, which require more time and money, the randomized rapid test is still considered easy to implement. With the rapid test, Jumadi hopes to obtain evidence that people who visit or transact in malls and markets are in good health.

He believes that his citizens are aware and accustomed to implementing health protocols, such as wearing masks when feeling outside the home, and maintaining a distance from other people, especially when in public areas. So, slowly but surely, people can live side by side with the Corona virus.

"In this new normal era, we optimize our role to protect ourselves, to really maintain health, by exercising and eating nutritious food," he explained.