VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

photo : setkab

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on Indonesian ministries and the Task Force for Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling, to give specific attention to the spread of COVID-19 in East Java, South Sulawesi, and South Kalimantan. As quoted by Antara, the request was made on account of the high number of coronavirus cases registered in the three provinces. The president stated whilst opening the virtual limited cabinet meeting from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Thursday. Until Wednesday, June 3, an additional 183 COVID-19 positive patients were recorded in East Java, thereby bringing the total to 5,318 COVID-19 cases. South Sulawesi recorded 38 new positive cases, with the total COVID-19 positive patients reaching 1,668. Meanwhile, 64 new infections were recorded in South Kalimantan, with the total number of COVID-19 positive patients reaching 1,033//ANT

Jakarta (VOI News) - Several studies show smoking is one of the factors that can make smokers more at higher risk of infection and worsening complications of COVID-19. Chairman of the National Commission of Tobacco Control, dr. Hasbullah Thabrany, when contacted by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (04/06) in Jakarta, warned of the dangers of smoking and a greater risk for smokers to be infected with the corona virus.

"More than 7 thousand chemicals that cause damage to the body and facilitate the growth of cancer is a danger that can not be avoided anymore. Therefore, we urge the public not to damage themselves, not to damage the family, not to slowly kill friends and family. It's time to stop, especially when there is a corona virus pandemic. It's time to stop smoking, it's time to stop poisoning your own family, it's time to stop poisoning our environment, workmates, friends and so on," said Hasbullah Thabrany..

Furthermore, Dr. Hasbullah Thabrany asked the community through the role of family to free their homes from cigarette smoke. He added the government needs to give a clearer message to the public that one of the precautions that must be done is to stop or at least reduce smoking, and provide guidance and assistance programs for people who want to stop smoking.

Citing WHO data released in 2020, he added, there was a tendency of the increase of the percentage of smokers in the population aged 15 years and over in Indonesia, not counting if smokers are using e-cigarettes (vape). At least the number of smokers has increased from 33% in 2000 to 39% in 2015. It is estimated that the number of smokers among young people continues to increase each year until now. (VOI / TGH)

Jakarta (VOI News) - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Santiago, Chile, facilitates the repatriation of 31 Indonesian crew members who had been stranded in Chile since the country's government imposed a COVID-19 disaster emergency status on March 19, 2020. Muhammad Ramdhan, First Secretary of the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago, Chile, through a short message to Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta, Wednesday evening (04/06), said that the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago provides assistance to ensure all crew members have the required documents and are aware of the health protocol information upon arrival in Indonesia. He added, the repatriation of the 31 cre members is carried out in 2 phases, namely on 2 June and 9 June 2020.

"Of the 2 phases, the first phase departed from Chile on June 2 with the route Santiago, Sao Paulo Brazil, Doha Qatar then to Jakarta. The 2nd phase wave will depart from Chile on 9 June and arrive on 11 June. There are 31 Indonesian crew members from 6 ships who have been stranded in the working area of ​​the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago. Of the 31 crew members, the majority have already completed their working contracts, but there are 2 Indonesian crew members we handle because they had working accident," said Muhammad Ramdhan.

Muhammad Ramdhan further said that the first phase departing from Chile on June 2 consisted of 14 crew and landed in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon (04/06), while the second phase consisted of 17 crew members. While stranded in Chile, according to Muhammad Ramdhan, the Indonesian Embassy in Santiago also sent aid in the form of basic necessities and sanitary equipment such as hand sanitizers, masks and gloves for the crew members. (VOI / ADVENT/AHM)

photo : bpom

The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has undertaken several efforts to ensure food safety amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As quoted by Antara News Agency, Director of Medium- and Low-Risk Processed Food Supervision at the BPOM, Emma Setyawati  during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (3/6) stated that her side is striving to manage and handle the circulation of food. She wondered if the consumption is available, the people remain safe. She also remarked that the BPOM had a downloadable guidebook in the form of e-books covering aspects right from production to the safe distribution of processed foods that can serve as a guideline for the wider community. In the guidebook, health protocols were added for safe processing and distribution of food to be followed by the community//ANT