Instagrammer Rachel Vennya Eludes Quarantine, Police Blast Her 'Dangerous Act'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Police announced they had learned from the case involving social media figure Rachel Vennya, who escaped COVID-19 quarantine, by forming a special task force that would keep an eye on members of the public who undergo quarantine. 

“Our task force is specifically meant to monitor those who have to be quarantined. We are coordinating with the central task force that has the data and manifest,” said Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus at the South Jakarta Police headquarters on October 18. 

He deemed Rachel Vennya's fleeing quarantine as "extremely dangerous," could potentially broaden the spread of COVID-19, and set a bad example for the micro-celebrity’s followers. 

“The task force is formed to closely monitor quarantine processes because the impact from this case is extremely dangerous,” Yunus added. 

Vennya, who obtained the status as a "celebgram," fled the North Jakarta’s Pademangan COVID-19 Emergency Hospital (RSDC). Vennya, her partner, and her manager initially arrived from the United States and reportedly fled the facility after just three days of quarantine. 

Initial investigation found violations committed by a member of the Military Command guarding the quarantine facility, who helped them escape without completing the entire quarantine days required by the COVID-19 task force. 

Rachel Vennya will now have to face police questioning after the Jakarta Police scheduled an interrogation on October 21. 

Read: Rachel Vennya Escapes Quarantine, COVID-19 Task Force Talks of Sanctions

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH