President Jokowi Calls for Covid-19 Massive Rapid Test

President Jokowi and Cabinet ministers during an online Limited Meeting via video conference, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (19/3). (Photo: PR/Ibrahim)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo instructed that massive rapid test for Coronavirus (Covid-19) can be carried out immediately for early detection of infection.

“I order rapid test kits to be procured as many as possible, and locations where the people can be tested to be added by involving government hospitals, hospitals under state-owned enterprises, regional governments, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), private hospitals, as well as research and higher education institutions that obtained recommendation from the Ministry of Health,”  President Jokowi said in his introductory remarks at an online Limited Meeting on the Report of Covid-19 Task Force, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (19/3).

The President also called for a simple, coherent, and clear health protocol since the protocol is really important for the public. The health protocol can elaborate measures to be taken by those who have done the rapid test, whether they will have to undergo a self-quarantine or require medical help at hospitals.

In addition, the President also instructed his Cabinet to prepare contingency plan for hospitals, including the referral hospitals, mobilization of hospitals under state-owned enterprises, TNI, Polri, private hospitals, and emergency hospitals if necessary.

“If necessary, we can utilize the Athlete Apartment (Wisma Atlet) in Kemayoran. It can accommodate 15,000 people. We can also utilize state-run hotels,” the President stated.

He went on to say that contingency plan will be prepared to other regions, including to speed up the construction of hospital in Galang Island of Riau Islands Province.  (FID/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany S
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana B