VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan asked governors in the eight provinces that contributed the most to COVID-19 cases to prepare two or three-star hotels to become quarantine centers for patients without symptoms or those with mild symptoms for self-isolation.

Jodi Mahardi spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment said Luhut made the request while chairing a virtual coordination meeting for COVID-19 control, on Thursday.

"The Coordinating Minister asked the governors to follow the steps taken by the Governor of South Sulawesi Nurdin Abdullah," he said in Jakarta, on Thursday.

Head of BNPB Doni Monardo said that the use of hotels as quarantine places could solve the high occupancy of ICU rooms in hospitals. 

"Regarding the readiness of the hotel, I have coordinated with the regions. If the regional budget is lacking, we can help provide it, with recommendations from the local health center," Doni explained.

Jodi said Luhut also asked the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo to continue to work with regional governments to disinfect their regions. 

"The Coordinating Minister asked Doni to spray disinfectant at crowded locations every day or every other day," Jodi said.

Jodi said Luhut asked the Health Ministry to ensure the need for drugs and therapy for COVID-19 patients, so there is a standard of medicine for COVID-19 patients in all regions.

"According to the Coordinating Minister, it is impossible to reduce the total number of Covid-19 patients before a vaccine or drug for is found, but if collaboration between the central, regional, military and police can be carried out systematically, we can reduce the rate of cases," Jodi said. added.

For the National Army and National Police, continued Jodi, Luhut asked that Justice operations must be carried out in a consistent and disciplined manner. 

In the coordination meeting, several regional heads also conveyed input, including West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, who requested that the data for COVID-19 patients synced between the central and regional governments so that there is no confusion in the circulating data in society.

Ridwan Kamil also asked for assistance from the Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to learn about the COVID-19 monitoring application that has been used in the capital.

Also present at the meeting were the Special Staff of the Minister of Health for Development and Health Financing Dr. Alexander K Ginting, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, and North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi. (Antaranews)