Industry Minister Issues Circular Letter on Factory Operational Procedure
In a bid to boost productivity of national industry amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, Ministry of Industry has issued Circular Letter of Ministry of Industry Number 4 of 2020 on the Operation of Factories during the Emergency Health Period of the Corona Virus Disease.
The Ministry said that the measures were taken to maintain activities of industries as well as the supply of public basic needs.
The circular letter is based on regulations issued by the Government, namely Government Regulation Number 21 of 2020 on Large-Scale Social Restrictions to Acceleratie the Handling of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Presidential Decree Number 11 of 2020 on Establishment of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Community Emergency, and Regulation of Minister of Health Number 9 of 2020 on Large-Scale Social Restrictions Guidelines to Accelerate the Handling of Corona Virus Disease.
“The circular letter aims to boost productivity of industries, while still in accordance with the health protocol recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO),” said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/4).
The letter, which is dated on 7 April 2020, is addressed to Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Chairperson of the Indonesian business association, chairpersons of industry associations, and heads of industrial companies, as well as industrial estate companies.
The circular letter also contains guidelines for industry players in carrying out their business activities during the public health emergency.
“The Government hopes that industries can continue to contribute to the national economy even under current circumstances that are beyond expectations, especially from industries with high demand, such as the medical equipment industry and food industry,” Agus said.
“The Government also hopes that those industries can boost export to the global market,” he added.
Industries and companies within industrial zones, the Minister added, are allowed to carry out business activities on condition that they fulfill several obligations.
The obligations are among others conducting initial screening to all workers through body temperature check and monitoring symptoms when they enter the factory area and changing shifts and ensuring good air circulation and proper cleaning facilities, including adequate hand washing facilities.
They are also required to increase the frequency of cleaning of public facilities and public areas on a regular basis with disinfectant fluids and setting restrictions on the number of workers when using public facilities such as places of worship or cafeterias.
“Those industries and companies are also obliged to provide health supplement, nutritional foods and disseminate Healthy and Clean Behavior as well as information on COVID-19 to the workers,” the Minister explained.
In addition, workers should always wear face masks and gloves anywhere in the factory area, as well as practice physical distancing for a minimum of one meter and avoid any physical contact, the Minister added.
The Minister further said that the circular letter can serve as a reference for production unit permission mechanism which needs continuing process as stated in Health Ministerial Regulation Number 9 of 2020. (PR of Ministry of Industry/EN)
Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas
