JAKARTA - Overseas travelers (PPLN) who are tested positive for COVID-19 during quarantine can request a comparative test outside the three government referral hospitals.
Previously, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno admitted that he had received complaints from foreign citizens from Ukraine. The foreigner complained that he had a positive PCR result at the end of his quarantine period in Indonesia.
Feeling something was odd, the foreigner then complained to Sandiaga Uno and asked for help to do a PCR retest.
In an online press conference, Head of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19, Lt. Gen. Suharyanto, admitted that in the past PPLN could only perform comparative tests according to the Circular Letter of the COVID-19 Task Force at three hospitals, namely the Central Army Hospital (RSPAD), Police Hospital, and Hospital. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM).
However, this policy has resulted in bad perceptions of officers in the field, such as the games of officers who produce false positive COVID-19 results.
"Of course, we are fixing this now. We have agreed, have determined that foreign travelers who are quarantined when tested positive, he can request a comparison test that is not from the three hospitals," he said, Thursday, February 3.
In addition, if the PPLN entering Indonesia does not accept the results of the entry test at the airport, it can request a comparative test. This is to answer complaints from PPLN.
Suharyanto said from the results of the evaluation carried out by collecting information, it was found that several foreign nationals at the beginning of the entry test had negative results. Then after the completion of quarantine on the fifth or sixth day, it is known that the exit test result is positive for COVID-19.
"Indeed, that is what quarantine is for, because the incubation period for the Omicron variant is uncertain. Maybe between 3-5 days, so many of these foreign travelers are quarantined as soon as the exit test is positive," he said.
Suharyanto ensured that his party was doing their best in handling tens of thousands of people undergoing quarantine, and trying to improve the implementation of quarantine procedures better.
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