TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Government Education Office is readying preparations to utilize 136 schools as an isolation area for COVID-19 patients, as stipulated in the official letter numbered 4443 / -1,772.1 from the Chief of Education Office, Nahdiana.

In terms of its preparation stage, Secretary of the Education Office Susi Nurhati stated that the policy is currently still a proposal waiting for approval from the Education Office. "This is just a proposal, it is not certain that it will be used," Susi clarified when contacted by Tempo, Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

Susi explained that the letter is a report from the Education Office based on suggestions from community leaders to prepare a self-isolation area for People under Monitoring (PDP) in the community.

On top of that, the letter is also a follow up of instructions from the Regional Secretary regarding providing accommodation for paramedics, as the Education Office has identified five schools, one official house and an office with a total capacity of 70.

The schools readied for the isolation area and accomodation, continued Susi, will still be checked by the Health Service to ensure that the school can be used in accordance with existing health protocols. "It will be examined first by the Health Service," she added.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)