TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has given instructions to his aides to conduct massive campaigning on health protocols to thwart the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

At a limited cabinet meeting held at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, the head of state highlighted the significance of public discipline in applying health protocols to stop the transmission of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

"We have to conduct massive national campaigning on the importance of maintaining discipline in implementing health protocols, maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands," Jokowi remarked during the meeting on discussions over accelerating the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jokowi cited a survey in East Java that indicated 70 percent of the province’s residents did not wear masks during outdoor activities, thereby demonstrating low public participation in the endeavors to cut the chain of transmission of COVID-19.

The president has instructed his aides to intensify campaigning on the implementation of health protocols that also involved public figures, academicians, volunteers, the military, and police.

"This is the sort of mobilization that I am looking for, mobilization of the Indonesian Police, the military, civil organizations, volunteers, public figures, and academicians, all of which are directed to campaign and monitor the implementation," he affirmed.

As of Sunday (July 12), the number of COVID-19 patients in Indonesia had reached 75,699, with 35,638 recoveries and 3,606 deaths.

The virus has spread across the country’s provinces, with the highest number of cases recorded in East Java, reaching 16,658, followed by 14,517 in Jakarta, 6,973 in South Sulawesi, 5,473 in Central Java, 5,077 in West Java, 4,146 in South Kalimantan, 2,653 in South Sumatra, 2,323 in North Sumatra, 2,267 in Papua, 2,195 in Bali, 1,660 in North Sulawesi, 1,593 in Banten, 1,550 in West Nusa Tenggara, and 1,196 in Central Kalimantan.

Read: Indonesia May Produce COVID-19 Vaccine in Early 2021, Says Jokowi

ANTARA