Health Minister Ordered to Closely Monitor Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

President Jokowi answers reporters’ questions at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (24/1). (Photo by: PR/Jay).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on all elements of society to remain vigilant and cautious in response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

“I have ordered Minister of Health to closely monitor (the case). We are ready to check anyone (who enters the country) with thermal scanners. However, I received information that no one infected by the virus and I hope it stays like that,” President Jokowi said in Jakarta, Friday (24/1).

Furthermore, the President also ordered all ministers and officials to be careful when making statements and urged them to recheck the information coming from their subordinates.

As previously reported, Ministry of Health has prepared thermal scanners at 135 land, air, and sea checkpoints. “Anyone with body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius appears red on the scanner,” Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of Ministry of Health Anung Sugihantono said in Jakarta, Monday (20/1).

In addition, airports throughout Indonesia—especially those that have direct flights from China—increase their alertness including by installing thermal scanners, providing health alert cards, as well as education and information regarding the disease to passengers, Anung added. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana