May 05, 2020

HSP Partners Help Develop National Guidelines For COVID-19 Testing In Indonesia

HSP Partners at the Indonesian Biorisk Association (IBA) collaborated with the National Standardization Agency (BSN) and the Indonesian Biotechnology Consortium to develop national guidelines for laboratories to follow when conducting COVID-19 testing. The guidelines are entitled: “Laboratory Biorisk Management Guidelines Related to COVID-19 Handling and Management of Specimens for Molecular and Serological Testing (non-propagation of viruses).”
 
These guidelines address all aspects of handling SARS-CoV-2, from specimen collection, packaging, and transportation to molecular testing and proper disposal. They also focus on risk assessment, standard operating procedures, personnel competency, and other best practices. The guidelines are vital due to the increasing number of laboratories across human and veterinary health, as well as university and private sectors that are planning to begin COVID-19 testing to provide adequate coverage for the 270 million Indonesian people and will follow these guidelines.