Controlling COVID-19 is key to Rebuilding Economy, President Jokowi Says

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 17 September 2021
Category: News
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President Joko Widodo on his remarks on the Aceh Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) in Banda Aceh, Thursday (16/09). (Photo by: BPMI/Laily Rachev)

The key to rebuild the economy is to bring COVID-19 pandemic under control, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“It is our duty to manage and consolidate our institutions to handle (the pandemic) because if we fail to reduce the number of COVID-19 case, our economy will not rebound,” President Jokowi said in his remarks during the Aceh Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) in Banda Aceh, Thursday (16/09).

The Head of State also reminded regents and mayors in Aceh province to understand the situation and details on the ground.

“We can no longer do things as business as usual because what we need now is leadership on the ground,” he said.

President Jokowi also pointed out that COVID-19 death rate in Aceh province is at 4.7 percent or above the national death rate.

“This is high since our national rate is only 3 percent,” he added.

On that occasion, the President urged all regional leaders in Aceh to pay attention to the availability of oxygen and medicine and to request Ministry of health should their region does not have COVID-19 ICU beds.

“Seven cities/regencies, including Simeulue, Nagan Raya, Sabang city, East Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Besar, must submit a request to Minister of Health so that all health facilities are ready,” President Jokowi said, adding that he will continue to monitor the bed occupancy rate (BOR) in the province.

The President also urged the public not to be engaged in massive euphoria despite a decline in COVID-19 cases in the country for it could cause the case to spike again.

“We have experienced it nationally. We cannot afford to repeat it here,” he remarked.

President Jokowi also asked all elements of Aceh Forkopimda including the Regional Ranks of Indonesian National Defense Force (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) to work hard to help local governments in tackling the pandemic. (BPMI/UN) (GWH/EP)

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