President Jokowi Gives Directives on COVID-19 Handling

President Jokowi gives directives at a Limited Meeting on Monday (20/4). (Photo: Ibrahim/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday (20/4) gave new directives on measures to tackle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Those directives are as follows:

First, President Jokowi stressed the importance of massive testing, followed by progressive tracking, and isolating those who are most-exposed to the virus.

Second, the President highly appreciates the use of technology to carry out medical consultation.

“Telemedicine should be further developed to minimize contact between patients and doctors,” said the President.

Third, the President reminded about the need to improve referral system and patients handling management at hospitals.

“The improvement of referral system is urgently needed to overcome overcapacity problem in designated hospitals. Medical facilities should be arranged carefully to determine which patient is in mild, moderate, and severe condition and which ones require intensive treatment at hospital,” he explained.

Fourth, the President reminded about information transparency.

“The data and information must be open to public. Do not let the public assume that the Government is not transparent and covers up the real data,” he added.

Fifth, President Jokowi has ordered his Cabinet to ensure the logistics distribution and production. “Do prepare the staple food, particularly ahead of the fasting month of Ramadhan,” he said.

Sixth, the President emphasized the importance of evenly-distribution of large-scale social assistance.

“The program started in Jakarta and Greater Jakarta areas for 1.2 million families, followed by in other regions,” he said, while underlining that the social assistance must be well-targeted. (TGH/EN)

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