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Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, held a dialogue with the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, during his visit to Ambon, which began Thursday (July 23, 2020). (Photo: ANTARA / Jimmy Ayal)

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, has emphasized that the novel coronavirus disease, which is currently sweeping the world, including Indonesia, can infect anyone, regardless of social status.

"COVID-19 does not look at social status, anyone can be attacked. So, do not take it lightly," Mahfud MD cautioned in Ambon, Maluku, on Friday.

He further stated that he had received news of some of his friends also reportedly testing positive for COVID-19.

He said the key to preventing the spread of the pandemic is discipline, along with the observance of health protocols set by the government, which include using masks outside the home, diligently washing hands with soap, and maintaining a safe distance from others.

"This is a standard protocol that must be obeyed by every citizen to avoid the spread or transmission of this virus," the minister noted.

He acknowledged that the policy to accelerate the handling of COVID-19 — which has been revised a few times, in keeping with the advice of the World Health Organization — has sometimes led to controversy.

"Even the developed country is too overwhelmed to overcome this pandemic, and its policies change following the WHO's decision," he pointed out.

Mahfud said there has also been opposition to the policies from some people who believed religious people would not be infected with the virus.

"Many religious devotees were also exposed, so mosques and churches were temporarily closed. So, COVID-19 does not recognize social strata," the minister said.

Mahfud stressed that the pandemic is a reality, and even as efforts are being made to tackle it, work on the economic, social, and development fronts must continue and be sustained.

"We cannot fight COVID-19 if the economy is left to die. So, there is the policy of adapting new habits so that all can live, but (be) safe from this virus. The key is only disciplines with health protocols," he said.

He added obedience, as well as the disciplined observance of the health protocols imposed by the government, is also akin to worship, according to religious teachings.

"If the government implements health protocols, you (public) must participate. That is also part of worship and (a way to) avoid transmission," he said.

The coordinating minister also lauded the Maluku Provincial Government’s handling of the pandemic. The recovery rate in the province has reached 62.3 percent, with 622 people recovering out of 978 positive cases.

The cure rate in Maluku is higher than the national rate of 53.9 percent, while the mortality rate in Maluku is only two percent (with 20 of the total patients succumbing to the virus), which is below the national rate of 4.8 percent.

"I highly appreciate the Maluku Provincial Government's handling of this pandemic, because in other regions, the number of cases is still increasing. This success must be emulated and improved," Mahfud said. (ANTARA)