President Jokowi Orders Maximum Protection for Covid-19 Health Professionals

Cabinet Secretary listens to the President’s remarks on a limited meeting, Thursday (19/3) (Photo: Agung/PR).

Doctors, nurses, and all medical workers who are treating covid-19 patients should be fully protected, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“The Government should ensure that those health professionals are provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). They are at the forefront of this battle, so they must get maximum protection to avoid exposure to the virus,” President Jokowi said on a limited meeting on Covid-19 Special Team Report at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (19/3).

The President has also ordered Minister of Finance to provide incentives for those health professionals treating covid-19 patients.

The President also ordered his administration to temporarily ban export on health equipment, including face masks and hand sanitizer to protect domestic supply. “Do make sure that the domestic supply as well as the raw materials to produce the health equipment are sufficient,” he said.

The Head of State also ordered the related stakeholders to guarantee the availability of staple food.

“I have visited the State Logistic Agency (Bulog) and found out that our supply is more than enough. In addition, some regions will soon experience harvest season in March and April, so the supply should be increased,” the President said.

President Jokowi has also ordered Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and relevant ministers to provide incentives for business actors, particularly for the MSMEs who have to bear the brunt of the economic crisis caused by the covid-19 outbreak.

“During this social distancing period, I hope MSMEs and other business actors can make the most of online services,” the President said. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas