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PLN Gradually Recovers Electricity Supply (0)
State-owned electricity firm PT PLN has recovered electric power to Balaraja Extra High Voltage substation in Banten Province, and furthermore it will be channeled to Suralaya steam-fueled power plant (PLTU) to gradually recover its operation to reach its capacity of 2800 MW of electricity.
In addition, power supply from Gandul Extra High Voltage substations in Depok, West Java Province, will be channeled to Muara Karang gas and steam power plant (PLTGU) to supply electricity to the Indonesian capital city, Jakarta.
Acting President Director of PLN Sripeni Inten Cahyani said here on Sunday that the power supply to Jakarta was expected to recover within three hours.
"We apologize for the inconvenience today, and currently all efforts have been made to recover the Java-Bali power system, especially in the area of West Java, Banten, and Jakarta," Cahyani said.
The company has focused on power supply to PLTGU Muara Karang and PLTGU Priok to recover the system in the capital city.
Previously, PLN has recovered the operation of hydro-generated power plant (PLTA) Saguling and PLTA Cirata which are functioned as power stabilizer, and, at the same time, supply the electricity to PLTU Suralaya through Cibinong, Depok, Gandul, Lengkok, Balaraja and Suralaya extra high voltage substations.
PLTU Suralaya is expected to return to its normal operation within six hours to normalize power system in West Java and Banten.
Blackout that affected thousands of homes and public facilities in West Java, Jakarta, and Banten was caused by several troubles in the extra high voltage 500 kV transmission of Ungaran - Pemalang.
"PLN has taken its best efforts and will have evaluation to prevent recurrence of today's incident," Cahyani said.
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May
President Accentuates Three Aspects to Expedite Handling of COVID-19
Written by Ani HasanahPresident Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted three aspects of specimen testing, handling the return of migrant workers, and expediting the production of medical equipment and COVID-19 medications to accelerate the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.
Jokowi made the statement while opening a limited videoconferencing meeting on accelerating the handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Monday.
In connection with the total improvement in the speed of testing PCR specimens, the head of state had received a report that showed the current capacity to test four to five thousand samples per day for PCR.
President Jokowi believed that the figure was still far from his previously stipulated target of 10 thousand specimens per day.
"According to data from the Task Force, 104 laboratories are currently included in the COVID-19 lab network. I want to ensure that the labs are functioning optimally, although of the 104 labs, 53 referral labs have already conducted examinations, and 51 referral labs have yet to conduct examinations," he stated.
The head of state realized the need for greater attention to be paid for training human resources as well as the lack of test equipment, including for PCR, RNA, and VTM reagents, which he sought for this week.
The second aspect concerns the return of Indonesian migrant workers, which he emphasized should be conducted properly on the field.
"I received reports that the work contracts of some 34 thousand Indonesian migrant workers will end in May and June, and some 8,900 came from East Java, 7,400 from Central Java, 5,800 from West Java, 4,200 from West Nusa Tenggara, and around 2,800 workers from North Sumatra, 1,800 from Lampung, and 500 from Bali," he noted.
The president called to take pertinent precautionary measures to handle their return and arrival at the country's entry points in line with the procedures, including to trace their movements until they reach their hometowns.
The entry points that the president highlighted include the two air entrances of the Soekarno Hatta Airport and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, as well as the seaports that often become the entry points for ship crews, including those in Bali, and Tanjung Priok. In the meantime, migrant workers from Malaysia are expected to enter from Batam and Tanjung Balai.
"I would like to once again emphasize the application of strict health protocols by mobilizing our resources and ensuring quarantine locations and referral hospitals for our migrant workers," he remarked.
The third aspect concerns the report Jokowi had received from the Ministry of Research and Technology/National Research and Innovation Agency that had successfully developed PCR test kits, non-PCR diagnostic tests, as well as ventilators and mobile BSL 2.
"I call for the mass production of these innovations, so we no longer need to depend on imported products from other countries," he stated.
Furthermore, the president is optimistic that the production process would commence by May-end or start of June this year.
The head of state conceded to have witnessed significant advancements in plasma testing. Large-scale clinical tests are planned at several hospitals coupled with “stem cell” procedures to replace damaged lung tissue.
The president also witnessed advancements in research on genome sequencing that is a crucial step to finding a COVID-19 vaccine in Indonesia.
"I call for all research and innovation results to be fully supported by state-owned enterprises and the private sector," the president noted. (ANTARA)
May
Businesses worry easing restrictions could prolong recovery
Written by nuke
Business people and economists have expressed concerns about the government’s decision to ease travel restrictions, saying the policy could backfire and prolong the economic recovery from the coronavirus downturn Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry deputy chairperson Shinta Kamdani, told The Jakarta Post that easing restrictions might not have the desired effect on the country’s economy because the virus could continue to spread. Transportation operators told the Post they did not expect any immediate uptick in economic activities from the government’s new travel policy as people still considered it risky to travel during a pandemic. The national COVID-19 task force issued a circular letter on May 6 exempting state officials, private sector workers and state-owned enterprise (SOE) employees from the government’s ban on travel to and from virus red zones//JP
May
Indonesian Government Warns of More Asymptomatic Persons (OTG)s Testing Positive for COVID-19
Written by Ani HasanahThe Indonesian government spokesman for COVID-19 handling Achmad Yurianto has warned of an increased trend of asymptomatic persons (OTG) testing positive for the coronavirus.
"Initially, we defined the classical spread (of the virus) carried by people with symptoms of high body temperature of more than 38 degrees Celsius, cough, and shortness of breath. But in its development, such condition has not become a specific symptom of COVID-19 infection," Yurianto said in a press conference held by the Task Force for Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling here on Sunday.
The government, he noted, has found more people tested positive for COVID-19 in a PCR test but showed only mild symptoms or sometimes with no symptoms.
OTGs would not show any symptoms such as fever and cough and they look healthy. If they appear in a crowd without masks, then they might transmit the virus to many people, including vulnerable groups.
"This has become one of the factors increasing the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia," he stressed.
He called on the public to wear masks as self-protection, wash hands with soap frequently, restricting outdoor activities, and avoid crowds.
"This has become important because we never know who is the OTG out there, those who carry the virus, and did not show any symptoms," Yurianto said.
As of Sunday, the task force has recorded 14,032 positive cases of COVID-19 across the country, with 2,698 recoveries and 973 deaths. (ANTARA)
May
Jakarta Reports 4,958 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 767 Recoveries
Written by Ani Hasanah
As of Saturday, Jakarta has recorded a total of 4,958 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, an increase of 57 compared to the previous day’s case count.
"Of the total, 2,312 patients are still undergoing treatment at hospitals. Meanwhile, 1,442 people are isolating independently at home," head of the Jakarta Health Office, Widyastuti, said in Jakarta on Saturday.
As many as 767 people have recovered from the infection, accounting for about 15 percent of the total cases. Meanwhile, the number of patient deaths has reached 437, accounting for 8.8 percent of the total cases, as of Saturday. The death toll has climbed by 6 from 431 recorded the previous day.
So far, the Jakarta COVID-19 Task Force has recorded 1,750 asymptomatic cases (OTGs). A total of 7,799 people were placed under monitoring (ODP), but later, 7,551 turned out to be negative for COVID-19, and currently, only 248 people are being monitored.
The task force has also recorded a total of 6,355 patients under surveillance (PDP), of whom, 5,282 have been discharged from hospital, while 1,073 are undergoing treatment.
A total of 84,824 people have undergone rapid tests, and of them, 3,358 have been found reactive to COVID-19 and 81,466 have been declared negative.
Cumulatively, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have been conducted on a total of 78,579 samples in Jakarta as of May 8, 2020. On Friday (May 8), 1,091 people underwent diagnostic tests in the capital city.
The Jakarta administration, in cooperation with various NGOs and donors, has distributed hundreds of thousands of food packages to people affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Jakarta has continued to step up diagnostic testing of people in its five municipalities and one district to prevent the spread of the virus.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had issued Governor Regulation No. 33 of 2020 on imposing large-scale social distancing measures (PSBB) in the capital, effective from April 10, 2020, after obtaining approval from the Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto.
The Indonesian capital was the first city in the country to impose large-scale social restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease, according to Anies. (ANTARA)
May
May
Indonesia Fortunate to Choose Social Distancing over Lockdown: Jokowi
Written by Ani HasanahPresident Joko Widodo (Jokowi) believes Indonesia is lucky to choose the large-scale social restriction and distancing policy rather than a lockdown to flatten the curve of the new coronavirus disease that has spread nationwide.
"Four provinces and 22 districts/cities have applied the large-scale social restriction and distancing measures," he stated during a videoconference held at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.
With the large-scale social restrictions in place, residents in affected areas can continue to conduct outdoor activities though being sentient of their obligation to implement the COVID-19 protocols, such as maintaining physical distancing and avoiding massive gatherings, he emphasized.
"We are doing our best. We are upbeat that the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic would soon peter out, though several experts believe that despite the number of cases descending, the curve will not directly flatten or the number of cases would be zero," President Jokowi expounded.
Until the proven vaccines are available, the people, at large, must come to terms with the fact that they will have to co-exist with COVID-19 for a period of time, he noted while urging the public to remain disciplined in applying the COVID-19 preventive measures.
Many roads in numerous areas wear a desolate look owing to the enforcement of large-scale social restriction measures. However, he also received reports on people failing to practice physical distancing measures, wear face masks, and wash hands, Jokowi pointed out.
The provinces, districts, and cities whose governments have enforced large-scale social restrictions comprise Jakarta, West Sumatra, West Java, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Bandung City, Bandung District, Bandung Barat, Cimahi, Sumedang, Depok, Bogor City, Bogor District, Bekasi City, Bekasi District, Tegal, Makassar, Tangerang, Tangerang Selatan, Pekanbaru, Surabaya, Gresik, and Sidoarjo.
The novel coronavirus disease initially struck the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019. Since then, it has spread to at least 202 countries and territories, including Indonesia, with a massive increase in the death toll.
The Indonesian government officially announced the country's first confirmed cases on March 2 this year.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has weakened the purchasing power of scores of Indonesian families, particularly those who have lost their jobs.(ANTARA)
May
May
May
President Joko Widodo reminded all ministries and staff to make the handling of Covid-19 as the focus of all programs that are carried out. The president during his direction at the opening of the Plenary Cabinet Session, Wednesday (05/06/2020) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta stated that the government must immediately be able to reduce and control the transmission of the covid-19 in Indonesia. The president targeted that the spread of the virus can be completely controlled in May, including lowering the Covid-19 curve.
"I asked all the ministers, head of institutions, Chief of Indonesian Police (Kapolri), military commanders to mobilize all the energy and power to control Covid and deal with the impact. Our target is that it must be truly achieved in May based on the basis of the target the government has given, the curve must go down. It must enter a moderate position in June and it must also enter an easier position in July. It is done not only by the Task Force but it also involves all elements of the nation. Government ranks, social organizations, volunteers, political parties and the private sector. This must be organized properly. I believe if we are united, if we are disciplined in implementing health protocols, all the plans that we have prepared in the past can handle the Covid as soon as possible" The President said.
Moreover, President Joko Widodo also recalled all staff to hold to the principles of Good Governance in handling Covid-19. He requested that all parties hold transparency and accountability in an effort to achieve the goals of people's safety, both in the field of health and social economy//Ndy/TRANS:AF
May
COVID-19: Number of foreign nationals testing positive drops to 92
Written by Nouvarah Ahdiba
As many as 92 foreign nationals in Indonesia have tested positive for COVID-19, 314 are under surveillance, while 164 have recovered from the infection as of May 5, 2020, the Foreign Ministry reported.
The diagnosis of three more foreigners is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, so far, 17 foreigners have died of the virus, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated during an online media briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The government arrived at the figure after identifying 590 COVID-19 cases involving foreign nationals.
The number of foreign nationals testing positive for COVID-19 has dropped compared to last week, when the figure was 98. Meanwhile, the number of foreign nationals recovering from the infection has increased to 164 from 149 last week.
Marsudi remarked that the Foreign Ministry has maintained constant communication with the embassies of the foreign nationals in Indonesia to keep them abreast of the condition of their health.
Indonesia has recorded a total of 12,071 confirmed coronavirus cases as of May 5, 2020, with 2,197 patients recovering and 872 dying of the infection.
The Indonesian Government officially announced the country's first confirmed coronavirus case on March 2 this year. The central and regional governments have since then made persistent efforts to flatten the coronavirus curve by imposing healthcare protocols and social restrictions.
Large-scale social restrictions have been enforced in several cities, including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, and Pekanbaru, to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
The central government has also banned homebound travel, locally known as ‘mudik’, during the fasting month of Ramadhan and the Idul Fitri holiday season. (ANTARA)
