If You Can Protect Yourself and Your Families, You Protect Many Lives: COVID-19 Task Force

Chairperson of COVID-19 Task Force gives a press statement after a limited meeting, Monday (4/5). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

As part of the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo – who is also Chairperson of the COVID-19 Task Force – has called on the people to protect themselves and their surroundings by adhering to the Government’s recommendations and restrictions.

“If you can protect yourselves and your families from being exposed, you protect many lives,” Doni said during a press statement after a limited meeting through a video conference, Monday (4/5).

Doni also noted that the situation has already improved in a number of provinces.

To that end, he called on the people not to return to their hometowns during the annual tradition of ‘mudik’ – annual mass exodus ahead of Eid Al-fitr – to contain the spread of the virus.

Asked about when the imposition of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) will end, Doni said that Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs had warned that since the vaccine is not found yet, it will take some time to recover.

Therefore, call to take preventive measures such as wearing a face mask, practicing physical distancing and washing hands regularly is still in place, he added.

As for the implementation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, Doni explained that as many as six thousand up to seven thousand specimens are taken every day from the set target of 10 thousand specimens.

“The number of laboratory staff is limited, so they are able to work only eight hours per day,” he said, adding that once the number of laboratory staff has improved and with the help of the Indonesian Doctors Association in all regions, it is expected that they work 16 hours per day.

Regarding data disclosure, Doni mentioned that 90% of the data held by the Task Force has been integrated.

“As for previous cases, cases of people under surveillance (ODP) and patients under surveillance (PDP) status have not been officially reported. There will be an evaluation from Ministry of Health team and the Task Force team,” he said. (TGH/MAY/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas