President Jokowi Issues Directives to Governors on Handling Covid-19 Pandemic
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday (24/3) issued directives to 34 governors on handling the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
One of the directives is to practice social distancing, which is then translated into physical distancing.
The President’s directives to governors regarding the handling of Covid-19 delivered through a video conference by Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo – who is also Head of Covid-19 Handling Task Force – are as follows:
First, the President called on governors including local high-ranking officials to practice physical distancing by maintaining a safe distance.
“Not only practicing physical distancing in public places but also in all households because not all family members are free from the virus,” Doni said.
Second, the President emphasized that the information must also be disseminated to lowest administrative level such as villages and districts.
“Likewise, all components of societies must also get involved. It is time to work together and help each other,” Doni said.
Third, every official in the regions must be aware of the increasingly serious threat posed by the Covid-19 outbreak and how to stay healthy.
“The healthy must stay healthy. Those who are already sick to be immediately treated,” Doni said.
Fourth, the President also appealed to the public to stay calm and to keep good immunity and endurance.
“Eating nutritious foods and maintaining positive minds will help improve immunity and endurance of the body,” he said, adding that regarding rapid test, Ministry of Health in the past few days has distributed 125,000 rapid test units to all regions.
Fifth, the President stressed that medical workers as well as those who are in vulnerable zone areas become the priority to undergo rapid tests given that they are the most vulnerable to be exposed by the virus.
Regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), Doni continued, to date the Task Force has distributed 105,000 pieces of PPE to a number of provinces, particularly provinces in the island of Java, given that the island is the most exposed area, including capital Jakarta.
“Tomorrow morning, there will be other 70,000 PPE units and these are all locally made,” he said.
Sixth, the President stressed that entire textile industry must prioritize domestic needs first. If 70,000 PPE units are received tomorrow, Doni said at the first opportunity for the assistance of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander and his staff that we could distribute 2,000 PPE units throughout the region.
Seventh, the governors must work closely with the Military Commander and the Regional Police Headquarters to distribute PPE to hospitals in need. According to Doni, he has talked with Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita that all relevant industries will also help produce PPE, masks, hand sanitizers and other needs.
“So we can meet the needs without being dependent from other countries and in turn, maybe later we can help other countries that need PPE, given that most of the textile industries are located in South Asia and developed countries have actually reduced their textile industries,” Doni said.
Eighth, the President also called on the public to stay healthy by adhering to health protocol procedures.
“Do regularly and properly wash your hands and keep distance,” he added.
Ninth, law enforcement must become a priority. Under Presidential Decree Number 7 of 2020, the Governor has the authority to provide law enforcement by utilizing existing authorities.
“Given that Regional Police Chief and the Regional Military Commander are under the Governor. This task force organization is expected to carry out the functions of controlling, monitoring, and also preventing for the whole community,” he said.
Tenth, the President has ordered the governors to devise action plans in detail, particularly those related to the covid-19 awareness map in their respective regions.
“The governors have also been tasked to refocus and reallocate funds in accordance with Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2020, including an extended social safety net program for the poor and underprivileged and a cash-for-work program and also to cut unnecessary costs,” Doni said.
Eleventh, all policies implemented by Governors as Head of the Task Force in their respective regions must be comprehensive, holistic by involving all existing components such as community leaders, religious leaders, and other prominent figures.
“So, the policies issued receive full support from all levels of society,” he said.
Twelfth, as of 11.00 am Western Indonesian Time, 102 patients have been registered starting yesterday afternoon at Kemayoran Athlete Village’s Covid-19 Emergency Hospital. 71 people have received medical treatment. Two patients are scheduled to be sent to the RSPAD Army Hospital due to poor health condition, and 31 recovered patients have been discharged, Doni said. (FID/EN)
Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas