Calm Down, The Negative Requirements For PCR And Antigen Swabs To Enter The Mall Apply To Those Who Haven't Been Vaccinated

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government has added requirements to be able to return to shopping at shopping centers such as malls. The condition is that visitors must have a negative PCR test result and or an antigen swab. The goal is to convince mall managers that those who visit are healthy people.

The Director General of Domestic Trade of the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag), Oke Nurwan explained that this requirement applies only to mall visitors who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Meanwhile, those who have received vaccine injections only need to show a vaccine certificate.

"I reiterate regarding the negative results of PCR or Antigen. I emphasize that this applies to visitors who are not vaccinated. For health reasons, for those who cannot be vaccinated, use antigen or PCR within 24 hours," said Oke Nurwan in a virtual press conference , Wednesday, August 11th.

Furthermore, Oke explained that the requirement was made because the government wanted shopping centers to be more controlled. Moreover, the air circulation in the mall is equipped with air conditioning.

"Why is it specially made? The point is that this shopping center is more controlled, equipped with air conditioning, air circulation, the first priority is to suppress the spread of COVID in closed spaces. So there is a definite process," he said.

Okay, saying that those who have been vaccinated can show proof of a vaccination certificate in the PeduliLindung application. Then, must be in good health, and wear a mask.

"For those who have been vaccinated and the PeduliLidungi application can scan directly during the trial period, those who want to shop in good health," he said.

Separately, the Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi straightened out the requirements for the PCR or antigen test to visit malls during the extension of the level 4 community activity restriction (PPKM).

Lutfi emphasized that the PCR-Antigen requirement applies to those who were not vaccinated for health reasons. According to him, the regulation was made specifically for malls because the air circulation in the mall is equipped with air conditioning.

"I emphasize first: This applies to friends who were not vaccinated for health reasons. Second, why is this regulation specially made for shopping centers & malls, because air circulation in malls & shopping centers is equipped with air conditioning," said Luthfi quoted from Instagram. official @mendaglutf.

Lutfi said, for residents who have been vaccinated and have downloaded the Care Protect application, they can scan directly at shopping centers and malls.

"The visitors to shopping centers & malls during this trial period are those who want to shop and are in good health," he said.

As is known, the government has begun to allow shopping centers to operate in a number of cities, although it is still PPKM Level 4 for trials. A total of 138 shopping centers and malls in Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya have begun to open with health protocols.

The trial period will last for one week, from 10 to 16 August 2021. The trial implementation refers to the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs No. 30 of 2021 concerning the Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities Level 4, Level 3 and Level 2 in the Java and Bali Regions.

All visitors, including employees, must have been vaccinated and can be proven by a Vaccine Certificate in the PeduliLindung application, in good health, and wearing masks. However, children under 12 years old and parents over 70 years old are not allowed to enter the mall.

Entertainment venues such as cinemas, children's playgrounds, and other entertainment venues are still closed for the time being. Meanwhile, restaurants can only be ordered for take away and delivery, except in open areas.

During the trial period, shopping centers are allowed to operate from 10:00 to 20:00 WIB with a maximum capacity of 25 percent.