Jakarta: Schools as COVID-19 Isolation Venues Will Treat ODP Only

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Education Agency's secretary, Susi Nurhati, confirmed that a total of 136 schools proposed as COVID-19 isolation venues would only accommodate people classified as ODP or people under monitoring for the novel coronavirus.

Susi asserted that the schools would not be filled with patients who were developing COVID-19 symptoms or PDP, let alone the positive ones.

“COVID-19 positive patients must be treated only at hospitals,” said Susi to Tempo on Friday, April 24.

She reiterated that ODP living in dense-populated areas must undergo isolation so as to curb the spread of the the coronavirus transmission. These people, she added, could be isolated at the schools proposed by their respective district administrations.

Moreover, the school buildings and their surrounding areas must be examined as to whether they met the criteria for COVID-19 treatment, she said. The observation is carried out by each COVID-19 mitigation task force in the areas.

“For example, an X school in Pondok Pinang district will be examined by its COVID-19 task force to find out if the school fulfills the criteria of the health protocol or not,” Susi explained.

Previously, the Jakarta provincial administration planned to turn 136 school buildings into isolation places for COVID-19 patients as proposed by district offices. The plan then stirred public controversy.

Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) speaker Prasetio Edi Marsudi suggested the city government review its plan considering the proposed schools were located in the middle of public residences.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA