TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An international school in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta has decided to halt all activities since March 3 after a teacher is suspected of having been exposed to and contracting the novel coronavirus, the COVID-19. This morning, the school looked vacant, with only mask-wearing security guards seen.

"We are closed since yesterday," a security guard said on Wednesday.

Momon Sulaeman, head of students and learning resources division at the Jakarta Education Agency, confirmed that the international school was closed because a teacher was experiencing symptoms of coronavirus exposure.

"I heard he was showing symptoms and that he was getting medical examinations. That is all the information I got," he said when contacted on Tuesday, March 3.

The Education Office had received a letter issued by the school on March 2, 2020. The school will be closed for up to 14 days. Tempo has not yet received a confirmation from the school.

South Jakarta Mayor Marullah Matali approved the school's policy, saying that sending students and the faculty home was proper reaction.

"They did the correct mechanism in responding," Marullah said in Jakarta, Wednesday 4 March.

Marullah said he had not received information related to the teacher who is suspected of contracting the virus that originated in Wuhan, China. However, he is optimistic that once a report is received, the Health Ministry will provide the necessary procedures to prevent the virus from spreading further.

To prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in his area, Marullah said the office is taking steps according to the directions and instructions issued by the Jakarta Governor. "We do what the governor tells us," he said.

LANI DIANA | ANTARA