President Jokowi Calls for Expansion of PCR Test, COVID-19 Data Integration

President Jokowi delivers remarks on a Limited Meeting on Evaluation of COVID-19 Handling Task Force (Photo: Agung/PR).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during a Limited Meeting on Evaluation of COVID-19 Handling Task Force on Monday (13/4) in the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, gave a number of directives to his Cabinet.

The directives are as follows:

First, the President has ordered his Cabinet to expand the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, especially in the epicenters of the disease.

“I have received a report saying that the number of lab sites has increased from only three to twenty nine sites,” President Jokowi said, adding that as many as PCR tests have been conducted to date.

 “That is a good move, but I still hope we can at least test more than 10,000 people per day,” the President added.

The President also praised the procurement of eighteen PCR test kits conducted by Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises.

“If one device can carry out around 500 tests, then eighteen devices can carry out around 9,000 tests per day. This is very good,” he said.

 Second, regarding COVID-19 data, the President has instructed integration of data among institutions.

“Data from all ministries within COVID-19 Handling Task Force must be well-integrated, including the areas with the COVID-19 outbreak, the patients—the number of deaths, the number of those who have recover, confirmed cases—so that everything is clear and updated,” President Jokowi said, adding that the data should also be transparent and accessible to the public.

 Third, the President has ordered Minister of the Home Affairs to remind governors, regents and mayors across the country to maintain the availability of basic commodities.

“Following a warning from the Food and Agriculture Association (FAO) stating that the COVID-19 pandemic may trigger global food crisis, I have instructed regional government to prepare food supply, supply chain, and distribution of staple food,” President Jokowi explained.

 Fourth, regarding socio-economic impacts, the President said he had ordered Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Finance to immediately launch the social safety net program given its urgency, including the Pre-Employment Card, the Family Hope Program, the Direct Social Assistance, Food Packages, and distribution of groceries in Greater Jakarta areas.

 Fifth, the President once again reminded the importance of mutual cooperation and public participation to overcome the pandemic. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas