Gov’t Declares COVID-19 Pandemic as National Disaster

Given that the spread of COVID-19 has caused rising number of fatalities and property losses with areas affected getting widespread, as well as extensive socio-economic impacts for the country, the Government has declared the non-natural disaster of the spread of COVID-19 as a national disaster.

The decision was stipulated in Presidential Decree Number 12 of 2020 on Stipulation of Non-Natural Disasters of the Spread of COVID-19 as a National Disaster signed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on 13 April 2020.

Previously, the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020 declared COVID-19 as a Global Pandemic.

“(The Government has) declared the non-natural disasters caused by the spread of COVID-19 as a national disaster,” according to the first dictum of the Presidential Decree.

Under this Presidential Decree, national disaster mitigation caused by the spread of the diseases is carried out by the COVID-19 Task Force in accordance with Presidential Decree Number 7 of 2020 on COVID-19 Task Force as amended by Presidential Decree Number 9 of 2020 on Amendment to Presidential Decree Number 7 of 2020 on COVID-19 Task Force through synergies between ministries/institutions and regional governments.

Governors, regents and mayors, according to this Presidential Decree, shall act as Chairperson of COVID-19 Task Force in their respective regions.

In the meantime, in establishing policies in their respective regions, governors, regents and mayors shall take into account the policies implemented by the Central Government.

“This Presidential Decree shall apply from the date of its promulgation,” the fourth dictum on the Presidential Decree reads. (EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas