Batam Govt Almost Runs Out of COVID-19 Mitigation Budget
Translator
Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor
Markus Wisnu Murti
Jumat, 13 Maret 2020 16:46 WIB
Would-be passengers of Wings Air wear face masks when they are about to board their airplane at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, Tuesday, January 4, 2020. ANTARA
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Batam administration claimed it was running out of budget to treat patients who were quarantined over the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. The central government was expected to immediately disburse emergency funds.
Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi said the cost of the virus outbreak mitigation including the quarantine program was sourced from the local budget of emergency reserve funds totaling Rp2 billion.
“[The budget] is only Rp2 billion and it will run out soon,” said Rudi on Friday, March 13.
According to Rudi, his administration had asked the central government to disburse funds to deal with the outbreak. “We have reported to the Health Ministry. Hopefully, there will be solutions,” he added.
Based on the latest data released by the Riau Health Agency, the number of people who were put under monitoring for the COVID-19 infection amounted to 82 people; 19 of them were suspected patients and being isolated, while the rest 63 were being quarantined.
