VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called on the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet ministers to partake in efforts to promote the use and also distribution of masks to prevent transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"I see that the aspect of promoting the use of masks has not been amply followed up after the meeting, both in the media and on the field through the distribution of masks. I think that I need to remind you," President Widodo remarked at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday.

President Widodo delivered the statement during a limited meeting, themed "Report of the Committee on Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery" in which the attendees comprised ministers of the Forward Indonesia Cabinet and also the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery.

"Before the vaccine is administered to the public, I think the most important aspect is the use of masks," the president noted.

At a limited meeting on August 3, 2020, the president stated that within two weeks after the meeting on August 3, the campaign should focus on the importance of wearing masks. However, the campaign was not visible yet.

"During the last meeting, we spoke again about community discipline that is the key to controlling the spread of COVID-19. Please, the invitation to wear masks and the implementation of distribution of masks can be accelerated," the president noted.

The goal is for the business world to believe in the government's steps in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is because it will also strengthen the confidence of the community from the business world and the market regarding our handling mechanism," the head of state noted.

As of Sunday (Aug 23), the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia had reached 153,535, with 107,500 people declared cured and 6,680 people dying of the disease.

Widodo noted that the number of suspected patients reached 75,522, with a total of 2,036,771 specimens tested.

The highest count of COVID-19 positive cases in 34 provinces in Indonesia was found in DKI Jakarta, reaching 33,470; followed by 30,315 cases in East Java; 12,476 in Central Java; 11,470 in South Sulawesi; and 9,283 in West Java. (ANTARA)