President Jokowi Orders Cabinet Ministers to Reduce COVID-19 Testing Gap

Cabinet Secretary listens to the President’s remarks during a virtual Limited Cabinet Meeting in Jakarta, Monday (14/9). Photo by: PR/Rahmat

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has instructed Cabinet Ministers to reduce COVID-19 testing gap across provinces.

“Some provinces have high testing numbers while others have limited testing numbers. We must reduce the gap,” the President said in his remarks during a virtual Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Report of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery in Jakarta, Monday (14/9).

The President said that DKI Jakarta had conducted 324,000 tests, East Java had conducted 184,000 tests, Central Java had conducted 162,000 tests, and West Java had conducted 144,000 tests, while tests in other provinces were still below 100,000.

“I order Minister of Health and the Task Force to focus on handling this so that the results can be seen every week,” the President said.

The President further said that improving self-discipline in following health protocols is very important, especially in wearing face-masks and maintaining physical distancing.

Regarding the national economic recovery, the President said that improving the economy and increasing the people’s purchasing power and household consumption are very pivotal in the third quarter.

“Therefore, I demand that all incentive programs, cash transfers, to be accelerated,” the President said. (TGH/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana