DPR Member: PCR Price Reduction Doesn't Solve Problem

PCR Test/Between

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, appreciated the government for reducing the price of PCR tests. However, this is considered not to solve the problem related to the PCR test controversy for obligations for airplane passengers.

"The reduction in the price of PCR does not solve the problem because the cost of the PCR test will still be a burden. Moreover, the burden is on passengers who use air transportation," said Saleh Partaonan Daulay, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, October 26.

He stated that his party appreciated President Jokowi's steps to reduce the price of PCR tests which had been burdening the community.

But later, Saleh also said that the main problem should also be addressed, namely by eliminating the PCR test.

He stated that not everyone who boarded the plane had excess funds, so there were still many people who felt heavy with the burden of paying for the PCR test.

Saleh said that the PCR test only guarantees that prospective passengers are negative when tested. However, after the test, the person remains susceptible to exposure to the virus.

As an alternative, the government was asked, among other things, to abolish the obligation for PCR tests for airplane passengers. If the PCR test continues, it is hoped that the government can handle the costs so that the policy does not burden anyone.

"Of course this is not easy. Because it needs careful calculations so it does not burden the government budget," he said.

Meanwhile, according to him, another alternative is to extend the validity period of the PCR test results so that if necessary, the validity period is 7x24 hours.

Saleh also wants the PCR test policy to be replaced with an antigen test. Although the accuracy rate is lower than PCR, the cost of testing is much lower so that passengers are believed to still be able to reach it. As reported, President Joko Widodo has requested that the price of PCR tests be reduced to Rp. 300,000 following the mandatory use of PCR tests for aircraft transportation requirements. which has received a lot of criticism recently.

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment as well as the Java-Bali PPKM Coordinator Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in a press conference on the results of a limited meeting evaluating the implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) which was monitored online from Jakarta, Monday, October 25, said the President asked the President to extend the validity period of the test. .

"The President's directive is that the PCR price can be lowered to Rp. 300 thousand and is valid for 3 x 24 hours for plane trips," he said.

Luhut explained that the mandatory use of PCR carried out on aircraft transportation modes is aimed primarily at balancing the relaxation carried out on community activities, especially in the tourism sector.