TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The national COVID-19 mitigation task force asked companies to establish an internal team to conduct screening on workers participating in the mass protests against the Job Creation Law in a bid to prevent the infection protest cluster from expanding.

“The Task Force requests the establishment of internal teams at the company level which then can coordinate with the local government to screen workers who participate in the rally,” said the task force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito in a press conference on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

He explained that the team would ease contact-tracing efforts. “If later their (protesters’) test results are reactive, the tracing to their close contacts can be conducted immediately."

To date, many protesters’ rapid test results turned back reactive, Wiku added. Based on the police and the military (TNI) preliminary data, 21 of 253 protesters in North Sumatra who were detained saw reactive results. In Jakarta, 34 of 1,192 protesters arrested also had reactive results.

“These results reflect the tip of the iceberg, which is just a small example that this virus can spread quickly and widely,” he said.

Other than the labor group, Wiku also reminded universities to conduct identification and covid testing for students taking part in the rally.

“People whose family members joining the protest are also asked to immediately visit health facilities if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 so their health status can be confirmed,” he added.

Wiku further reminded protesters to always adhere to the health protocol of maintaining distance, wearing face masks, and washing hands regularly.

Read: COVID-19 Positive Cases Surge Due To Job Creation Law Protests

EGI ADYATAMA