TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - COVID-19 Mitigation Task Force Chairman Doni Monardo called on people who joined big events in recent weeks to immediately take a swab test.

The events were particularly those related to Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab, who returned to Indonesia on November 10, 2020.

“We invite all taking part in these activities to voluntarily get an antigen swab test provided by the government and the Jakarta Health Agency in several community health centers (Puskesmas),” said Doni after a limited meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, Monday, November 23, 2020.

Doni outlined that large crowds formed when the mass welcomed Rizieq Shihab’s return from Saudi Arabia at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, during the marriage reception of Rizieq’s daughter in Petamburan of Central Jakarta and the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Maulid Nabi), as well as Maulid Nabi in Tebet Timur, South Jakarta and Megamendung, Bogor.

“The tests will be free. This is crucial because, through the tests, we can find out which attendees were exposed to the virus as soon as possible,” Doni remarked.

He added that people who tested positive for the virus would be obliged to undergo self-isolation as suggested by health center officers or to be in quarantine at the government’s isolation center.

“Efforts to early detect the virus exposure will greatly help accelerate the healing process,” Doni said, adding that Jakarta reported rising COVID-19 cases in the past few days.

Read: Bogor Holds Massive COVID-19 Tests in Megamendung After Rizieq Shihab Big Event

EGI ADYATAMA