National COVID-19 Committee to Involve Army in Handling Pandemic

Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Andika Perkasa, at the Army’s headquarters, Jakarta, Friday (7/8). (Photo by: COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee)

COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee to implement all formulas to protect the people from COVID-19 pandemic and at the same time attempts to recover the national economy immediately.

The Committee will also strengthen its organizational structure so that the handling of COVID-19 and economic recovery which are under one command can be more rapid, effective, efficient, as well as can be implemented and completed at the same time.

Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir as Head of the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee said that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Andika Perkasa is appointed as deputy head of the Committee so that the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) can be involved in handling the pandemic. The TNI is expected to enhance the enforcement and discipline of the public in following strict health protocols in their everyday life.

“A key to win the pandemic is by maintaining discipline of the public in adhering to the health protocols during the pandemic. Dissemination on the importance to follow the protocols must be intensified thus the involvement of the Army is necessary,” Erick said when visiting the Army’s headquarters, Jakarta, Friday (7/8).

By involving the Army which its organizational structure spreads all over the country, all Indonesians living in 83,000 villages and districts can understand the importance of balancing recovery of health and economic sectors.

“The Military personnel can be a good example for the public to follow the discipline in wearing mask, washing hands, and keeping safe distance while waiting for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine which is projected to be available next year,” he said.

In the meantime, Gen. Andika Perkasa confirmed his commitment in the Committee which missions are to handle the pandemic and recover the national economy. “We are ready to provide supports and assistance to recover the public’s health and national economy. We will involve our personnel until the lowest command hierarchy who are close to the civilian to discipline them in following the health protocols,” he said.

The Minister went on to say that he highly appreciated and supported the wish of the public to work, travel, do sports, and other activities as usual in the ‘adapting to new habits’ period following the Large-scale Social Restrictions policy in the past 5 months.

However, since COVID-19 transmission is still increasing, dissemination on 3M campaign (Wearing masks, Washing hands, and Keeping safe distance) during the pandemic must be intensified.

“The Committee focuses on recovery of health and economic sectors. On health recovery, we must touch all layers of society to serve the people so we can join hands to fight against the pandemic and win,” the Minister concluded. (Communication Team of the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by:  Mia Medyana