President Jokowi Tells Minister to Tighten Preventive Measures Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic

President Jokowi gives a press statement at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, Sunday (15/3). (Photo by: BPMI)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered Minister of Health and related Ministers to tighten preventive measures amidst the global covid-19 pandemic.

“We’ve learned that several countries have imposed a lockdown,” the President said in a press statement at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, Sunday (15/3).

The Head of State explained that there are also countries which do not impose a lockdown; yet took appropriate measures and introduced policies to prevent the spread of escalating Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Government continues to communicate with the World Health Organization in keeping with its health protocols and consult with public health experts in handling the spread of covid-19 pandemic,” the President said.

The Government, according to the President, has also established a Task Force for to speed up the handling of covid-19 pandemic, led by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Head Doni Monardo.

“This task force has worked effectively by synergizing our national resources both at the central and regional levels which involve state civil apparatus, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), private sectors, social institutions, and universities,” the President said.

For the record, as of Sunday afternoon, Indonesia has so far recorded 117 confirmed Covid-19 cases, five of which have died. (TGH/EN)

Translator: Muhardi

Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas