Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Photo: AP)Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodohas ordered massive rapid testing for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) be carried out nationwide after the country saw a significant rise in thenumber of infections over a few days.
Rapid testing must be conducted immediately with greatercoverage so infections can be detected much earlier, he said during a telemeetingon March 19.
Jokowi also called upon state hospitals, state-ownedenterprises, the military, police, and private enterprises to help acceleratethe coronavirus detection process in the country.
An Indonesian state-owned enterprise is waiting for thegreen light from the Health Ministry to import half a million COVID-19 rapidtest kits from China.
On the same day, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan restrictedpeople in Jakarta from leaving the capital city for the next three weeks as apreventive measure against the spread of the virus.
He requested people to not leave Jakarta unless thesituation is urgent.
The ban was put in place since Jakarta has been the country’shardest hit area which has so far recorded 208 infections and 17 deaths,accounting for 68 percent of the nation’s fatalities.
Anies said the most effective solution to prevent the virusfrom spreading further is maintaining social distance.
He also instructed local governmental officials to limittheir interaction with the residents and decided to halt religious activitiesfor the next two weeks, such as Friday prayers and Sunday masses.
As of 12:pm on March 19,Indonesia has confirmed 52 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to309 with 25 deaths. The country’s fatality rate is relatively higher than otherSoutheast Asian countries.
Chairman of Indonesia’s Red Cross Jusuf Kalla warned thatthe number of infections might be far higher than the confirmed figure due tolow levels of testing./.
VNA
