Schools Turned into Isolation Wards, Jakarta DPRD: Inappropriate

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chief of the Jakarta Regional House of Representative (DPRD DKI), Prasetio Edi Marsudi, sees the steps taken by the Jakarta Provincial Government in utilizing schools as isolation wards to be inappropriate as areas that are already safe from COVID-19 could be red zones again due to inaccurate policies.

"It is very unrepresentative for schools in Jakarta to be shifted temporarily into COVID-19 isolation wards,” tweeted Prasetio, on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Prasetio has asked the Jakarta Provincial Government to coordinate with the central government in regards to the lack of available space in treating COVID-19 patients. As the central government, he continued, it is in their best intention to limit COVID-19 transmission.

Previously, the Jakarta Provincial Government, through the Education Service, has prepared 136 schools to be utilized as COVID-19 isolation wards. Secretary of the Jakarta Education Service, Susi Nurhayati, stated that the policy has been taken to accommodate inputs from community leaders, to utilize schools as temporary isolation wards.

In addition, continued Susi, the school building will be inspected by the Health Service, to ensure that it will meet the necessary health protocols. "This is still only a proposal, (it’s uncertain) whether it will be used later or not," she added.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)