Govt Holds COVID-19 Rapid Tests for Mass Transport Drivers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry held the coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid tests for 200 participants comprising drivers of taxi, online motorcycle taxi or online ojek, public transportation, and bajaj.

Land Transportation Director-General Budi Setiyadi explained that 200 test kits were prepared for the first stage considering drivers of mass transportation were frontliners who always make physical contact with their passengers.

“We know that drivers are among the frontliners who always meet passengers or people, therefore we need to test whether they are healthy and free of COVID-19,” said Budi in an official statement, Monday, April 20.

He explained that drivers who tested positive for the coronavirus would be referred to the Jakarta Health Office for further medical care.

Budi expected that the public would be aware and other parties would conduct rapid tests so that anyone exposed to the coronavirus or diagnosed to be the virus' carriers could be detected. The Transportation Ministry also planned to hold the second stage of the rapid tests.

“We have instructed bus or ship operators to clean their fleet and spray disinfectant regularly as a precautionary measure. If this program raises public awareness and is deemed necessary, we will hold a second stage, hopefully, it will be carried out before the fasting month of Ramadan,” Budi concluded.

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