Jokowi Orders Intensified COVID-19 Tests and Contact Tracing
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Mahinda Arkyasa
Selasa, 14 April 2020 16:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo stated in a plenary meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, that state-ministers must boost the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests and carry out contact-tracing to break the chain of transmissions and preventing a wider spread of the virus.
"I really hope that this can be the main focus of the COVID-19 task force head Doni Monardo, Health Minister Terawan, along with the national police and armed forces," Jokowi said during the meeting.
As of April 13, 2020, the Indonesian government had commenced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on over 27,000 Indonesians across 186 regions. There are also 70 laboratories spread across the nation that are equipped to conduct PCR tests. Therefore, tests are no longer centered in labs in Jakarta.
The president also ordered stakeholders to equip medical personnel with adequate equipment to conduct the COVID-19 tests. Jokowi also encouraged state-ministers and regional heads to put forth transparency and engage in effective communication.
DEWI NURITA
