Task Force Anticipates Omicron Variant from Migrant Workers in Batam

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Special Task Force for Indonesian Migrant Workers Repatriation in Batam City is anticipating the Covid-19 Omicron variant transmission. 

The task force chief, Lt. Col. Kav Sigit Dharma Wiryawan said that the Covid-19 Task Force works in accordance with the adendum of the national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) chief about the quarantine period. "The quarantine period is now 10 days," Sigit said Saturday, December 4.

The migrant workers arriving in Batam will have to undergo two tests: RT PCR and then antigen swab test. "Since the RT PCR test result will come out the next day, so the antigen swab test will be our initial detection," he explained.

If the result is positive, the migrant worker will be evacuated to Galang Infectious Disease Covid-19 Hospital (RSKI Galang), while those with negative results will be taken to government-owned flat to undergo quarantine.

The second RT PCR test sample will be taken several days later during the quarantine period. In addition, to detect the Covid variant, each positive test result will be sent to Jakarta for further examination. "To check if the virus is related to Omicron. That's our anticipation," said Sigit.

The task force assures that the capacity of RSKI Galang hospital is still sufficient. It currently is treating 50 asymptomatic patients.

Read: Migrant Workers Subjected to Govt Guideline Against Omicron

Antara