TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas) plans to hold swab antigen tests for visitors of rest areas who violate the Covid-19 health protocol during the 2020 Operasi Lilin (Candlelight Operation), an annual security operation carried out during the year-end holiday season.

“Starting from Banten to Cikampek, there are around 70 rest area points. We will hold a random antigen swab test for visitors violating health protocols,” said Korlantas Chief Insp. Gen.Istiono on Thursday night, December 17, 2020.

Istiono emphasizes that the police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) will carry out the Yustisi Operation, which aims to enforce public health protocols, during the Candlelight Operation.

Additionally, the officers will ensure the protocol implementation in all churches that are only allowed to hold Christmas service with limited congregations at 50 percent of the capacity, while the rest can join virtually.

“[Churches] are not allowed to set up tents outside the church. This applies in all areas, including in those with the majority population of Christian,” said Istiono.

For the New Year celebration, Istiono asserts that the police will not issue a permit for crowds or mass gatherings, either in hotels or tourist destinations. “This tightening [of the restriction] will start on Dec. 18 until January 8, 2021, in a bid to prevent Covid-19 spread,” he said.

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