Jakarta Deputy Governor Admits Covid-19 Infection Among City Hall Officials

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria, confirmed that there are several Jakarta regional government officials who have been infected with Covid-19. However, Riza refused to provide details concerning the identity of the infected officials.

"I don't know exactly, but there are several people [who are infected]. Well let's not mention it," Riza said at the City Hall on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

However, according Riza, it does not necessarily mean that the infected officials contracted the virus in their offices because there is still risks to be infected by the virus. Ria added that the virus did not pick who it is going to infect.

Riza said that he has conducted efforts to prevent further transmission by temporarily sealing the infected officials' offices. Riza also mentioned that the Jakarta government had even sealed an entire floor in a building.

"One whole floor was sealed," Riza said.

Riza made his statement in response to the request made by the Speaker of the Jakarta Regional Representative Council Prasetio Edi Marsudi to reveal to the public about the Covid-19 infection that occurred among the City Hall officials.

"I requested the governor not the be ashamed to talk about Covid, we need to be transparent together so it would not spread to others," Prasetio said on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

Prasetio admitted that he had heard the news about a number of Jakarta regional officials that have been infected with Covid-19, such as Head of the Park and Forest Agency Kita Suzi Marsitawati, and other officials whose Prasetio refused to mention.

Prasetio requested that the offices of the infected officials to be locked-down to prevent infection to other locations.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ