The COVID-19 Check Route for the Delegation of the G20 Bali Summit Has Been Arranged, the PCR Test for the Head of State is Preferred

Room for a Meeting at the Minister of Finance and Governor of the G20 Central Bank (G20 FMCBG) at JCC, Jakarta, Wednesday 16 February 2022. (Between-M Risyal H)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health has prepared a screening route for COVID-19 for delegates of the G20 Summit (KTT) in Bali on November 15-16. Examinations include body temperature checks, antigen swab tests, and PCR.

Director of Health Surveillance and Quarantine at the Ministry of Health, Achmad Farchanny, said that PCR examinations were required for all delegates who would meet.

"This PCR examination is carried out no later than 1 x 24 hours or 1 day before the opening of the event", Farchanny said in a virtual press conference "Health Protocol for the G20 Summit" in Jakarta, Thursday, October 13.

Farchanny said the Ministry of Health also provided rapid antigens at the hotel where the delegates were staying. If needed, the delegates can also perform an antigen self-test independently at the place of stay.

“We are also preparing an antigen self-test. There are 4000 rapid-antigen kits with barcodes from the PeduliLindungi team which we distribute to all hotels, where the delegates stay", he said.

Illustration of a body temperature detector to anticipate the entry of the monkeypox virus or COVID-19 at Juanda Airport Surabaya in Sidoarjo, East Java. (Antara-Umarul F)

PCR test

A PCR test can also be carried out if the delegation is suspected of being positive for COVID-19 after checking the temperature at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport upon arrival.

According to Farchanny, the test can be carried out directly at the airport. Delegates who are suspected of being positive for COVID-19 can wait for the results of the swab test at the hotel but are advised not to leave the hotel room until the PCR result shows negative COVID-19.

Based on Antara's report, PCR inspection facilities were not only provided during the event but also before the delegation's return.

Although the PCR examination is not a requirement for returning home, his party still facilitates if there are delegates who need the examination.

"For the PCR examination, indeed here there are exceptions for heads of state, heads of government, and those at the same level. Later, the swab test can be taken by a medical team or health worker from the country of origin. We will bring the results of the swab test for PCR examination at designated laboratories", he said.

G20 Delegation Treatment Positive for COVID-19

The government has prepared procedures for handling if there are positive cases of COVID-19. For delegates who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, they can self-isolate at a hotel or be isolated in an integrated manner at a designated hospital.

"However, for delegates who are found to be positive for COVID-19 with moderate and severe symptoms, we will immediately refer them to the designated hospital", said Farchanny.

In implementing the health protocol, said Farchanny, there are three aspects that the government prioritizes, namely detection and surveillance, special examinations for COVID-19, and handling if positive cases of COVID-19 are found.

"For detection and surveillance, we are strengthening health quarantine supervision, starting from the moment of arrival at the airport entrance", he said.

In addition, the government is also conducting surveillance of health risk factors by controlling vectors and checking food and beverages at the event location, as well as conducting swab checks, tracing, and monitoring positive cases of COVID-19.

G20 Ministerial Meeting in the fields of Trade, Investment and Industry or Trade, Investment and Industry Ministerial Meeting (TIIMM) in Bali, Thursday 22 September. (ANTARA-Sella PG)

COVID-19 Examination Laboratory

A total of seven health laboratories for PCR examinations were prepared, including Bali Mandara Hospital, Warmadewa University, Ngoerah Respiratory Center General Hospital, Mangusada Regional Hospital, Wangaya Hospital, and Udayana University State University Hospital.

The total capacity for PCR examination is 2,160 specimens per day. "We will receive assistance for field PCR examination with a capacity of 1,500 specimens per day. In addition, the government has also prepared 25,000 reagents for PCR examination", said Farchanny.