Angkasa Pura

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Officially Strengthens Biosafety Level-2 Laboratory for COVID-19 Testing

Jakarta - Soekarno-Hatta Airport strengthens the COVID-19 testing facility with the Mobile Laboratory Biosafety Level 2 Varian Bus which is operated today, Wednesday 6 January 2021.

The mobile laboratory is the result of innovation from the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) which is stationed at the Airport Health Center Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport for some time to come as part of the Bakti Technology Innovation program launched by BPPT.

President Director of PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) Muhammad Awaluddin, Head of BPPT Dr. Hammam Riza and Deputy 3 of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Dody Ruswandi, today inaugurated the operation of the mobile laboratory at Airport Health Center Terminal 3.

President Director of PT Angkasa Pura II Muhammad Awaluddin said the presence of this mobile laboratory further complements the existing COVID-19 test facilities at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"Currently, there are 8 Airport Health Center points at Soekarno-Hatta Airport as COVID-19 testing facilities through rapid antigen and PCR tests, with daily serving tests for 3,000 - 5,000 prospective aircraft passengers. We are very grateful that today BPPT placed the Mobile Laboratory Biosafety Level 2 specifically for PCR tests at Terminal 3, so that it can greatly help Soekarno-Hatta Airport in serving the needs of PCR tests quickly. "

"With the presence of a mobile laboratory at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, specimens from the PCR test can be directly examined in the mobile laboratory, they do not have to be taken to laboratories outside the airport so that the results can be found more quickly," said Muhammad Awaluddin.

Furthermore, Muhammad Awaluddin said that the Bus Variant Level-2 Biosafety Mobile Laboratory was the embryo of a permanent laboratory for COVID-19 testing at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"One of the criteria for handling COVID-19 at airports is the need to have laboratory facilities for COVID-19 testing. This is something that is standard, do not let us miss other airports in the world. PT Angkasa Pura II is discussing the existence of this laboratory facility in all airports that we manage. The first time, of course, the laboratory will be at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, "said Muhammad Awaluddin.

Muhammad Awaluddin added, "The existence of a mobile laboratory from BPPT is also part of our preparation to present laboratory facilities that are more secure in nature."

Meanwhile, the Head of BPPT Dr. Hammam Riza said that one of the keys to handling COVID-19 is tracing, testing and treatment (3T).

"To increase the capacity of testing [testing] for COVID-19, BPPT has launched an innovative Mobile Laboratory Biosafety Level-2 Bus Variant to get the laboratory closer to places where it is needed, such as Soekarno-Hatta Airport."

"The advantages of this Bus Variant are to strengthen the concept of mobility so that it is easy to operate in areas where it is needed, then the presence of RNA extraction facilities, refinement of equipment layout to increase data accuracy, and refinement of the automatic door mechanic system in a touchless manner," said Dr. Hammam Riza.

As well as the bus variant, BPPT also gave birth to the Mobile Laboratory innovation in trailer and container variants.

In the same place, Deputy 3 of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Dody Ruswandi said that the existence of a Biosafety Level-2 Bus Variant Laboratory Car would greatly help increase the capacity for testing COVID-19 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"PCR test results can come out briefly [with the presence of a mobile laboratory at Soekarno-Hatta Airport."

"Appreciation to BPPT for providing solutions for handling COVID-19," explained Dody Ruswandi.

Health protocol is one of the main focuses of PT Angkasa Pura II airports in the midst of this pandemic. As for December 2020, Soekarno-Hatta Airport has received an Airport Health Accreditation certificate with Green Star status from the International Airport Council which illustrates the seriousness of the airport in its efforts to prevent COVID-19.