Luhut to Ask China, Singapore Help for Covid; Expert Asks Not to Delay
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8 July 2021 12:33 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said he would ask China and Singapore for help if Indonesia's Covid-19 cases reach 40,000 people daily. Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, asked the government not to delay the plan.
Dicky said the government should not wait around for daily cases to exceed 40,000 before making the request.
"Mitigation is about preparing early, now. It cannot be delayed," Dicky told Tempo, Wednesday, July 7.
He said that Indonesia is in grave situation, and in need for medical equipment supplies. He said that the peak of the second pandemic wave is approaching, predicting it to happen between July 19 and August 15.
However, Dicky reminded not to ask everything from foreign nations. The assistance taken should be in the form of vaccines, drugs, or other medical devices.
Dicky did not recommend asking for help in the form of health workers, saying Indonesia has enough human resources capable and sufficient for handling the pandemic.
Read also: Luhut Wants Ivermectin Given to Covid Patients with Mild Symptoms
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