TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Communication, Information and Technology (Kominfo) in collaboration with health industry startup, Halodoc, is holding COVID-19 rapid tests for journalists at the Ministry’s building, Central Jakarta on Wednesday from 10:00 to 14:00 local time (WIB), April 8, 2020.

"Only applies to journalists, free of charge," said the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Chief of the Public Relations and Communications Bureau, Ferdinandus Setu, in an official statement on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

From Tempo's observation, the COVID-19 rapid test had begun before 10:00. In its procession, the rapid test participants, on foot or motorcycle, were ushered through the main entrance of the ministry building. There, participants were given snacks, vitamin C, and a cloth mask.

Afterwards, participants were asked for their information and personal data and then directed to six special rooms for blood sampling by a number of officers from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and Halodoc.

In the blood sampling tests, participants were not asked about the symptoms experienced in the last few days or a history of travel, to determine whether or not they had contact with a positive COVID-19 patient.

Overall, the COVID-19 rapid test procession took less than 10 minutes. An officer in the blood sampling room explained that results will come out via the Halodoc application, at its earliest on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)