VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Government of Singapore donated 800 thousand face masks to the Riau provincial government under its endeavors to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"As part of the support to fight COVID-19, the Singapore government is pleased to provide this assistance and will continue to cooperate in addressing this problem," Batam-based Singapore Consul General Mark Low stated in his address at the handover of assistance held virtually on Tuesday.

Low highlighted the significance of mutual help to handle the COVID-19 pandemic that has battered the economies of various countries, including Singapore and Indonesia.

As close neighbors, Riau and Singapore must also extend mutual assistance to handle the pandemic, he affirmed.

The Government of Singapore donated face masks to Riau Province since wearing masks was the easiest way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, pending the availability of effective vaccines, he pointed out

"Before the vaccine can really overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the public must follow health protocols, including wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing.

Riau Vice Governor Edy Natar Nasution expressed gratitude to the Singapore government for its donation of face masks to Riau for the second time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nasution remarked that the masks will be distributed among district and city governments in Riau Province.

Riau has, so far, recorded 21,259 COVID-19 cases, with 18,969 people recovering and 482 individuals succumbing to the infection.  

Meanwhile, 877 people are receiving hospital treatment, and 931 people are conducting self-isolation. (Antaranews)