Home Affairs Minister Calls on Regional Heads to Strictly Enforce Health Protocols
Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian delivers press statement. (Photo by: Cabinet Secretariat PR)
Regional heads are the authorized person to control the spread of COVID-19 in their respective regions, according to Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian.
To that end, the Minister called on regional heads to take more strict and serious measures in imposing health protocols since the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased by 6,267, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 534,266 as of 29 November 2020.
The number is a record high since the country’s first case, breaking the previous daily record. On the other hand, 3,810 patients were recovered. The total number of recovered patients has also increased to 445,793 with recovery rate of about 84 percent.
“The figure shows that COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is getting worse and it requires swift and proactive measures from the regional heads to curb the spread of the disease,” he said.
For that reason, the Minister expected regional heads to remind the public to always wear mask, wash hands, maintain safe distance, and avoid crowds. The protocols were regulated under Presidential Instruction Number 6 of 2020 on Law Enforcement of the Health Protocols in the Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19, thus we cannot tolerate any violation.
The Minister went on to say that synergy between central and regional governments are needed in COVID-19 handling. He also expressed hope that the regional heads can disseminate the health protocols to their people.
In addition, regional heads must face great challenges since COVID-19 is not only affected health sector but also economic sector. Therefore, they are encouraged to balance economic recovery and health management.
“The test of their leadership takes place at this period of crisis. The regional heads must devise a strategy to manage health problem and at the same time to rebuild the economy,” he said.
On a different occasion, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday (30/11) reminded regional heads to take full control in handling COVID-19 and recover the economy in their respective regions.
The President maintained that it is their responsibility to protect their fellow citizens, particularly during the pandemic. He also ordered the Government to pay close attention to two provinces, namely Central Java and capital Jakarta that saw a significant increase in active cases.
“The number of active cases has significantly increased within 2-3 days. Do find out the causes,” the President firmly said. (Ministry of Home Affairs PR/FID/UN) (RAS/MUR)
