VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia’s count of coronavirus cases swelled to 20,796, as of Friday, with 5,057 people having recovered from the disease and 1,326 individuals succumbing to it, Achmad Yurianto, the government's spokesperson for COVID-19 response, stated.

The figures indicated a surge from the day before when the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 20,162, with 4,838 people recovering and 1,278 dying of the disease, he noted during a press conference at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) in Jakarta on Friday.

In comparison with the previous day, the number of coronavirus cases recorded a rise of 634, the number of recoveries increased by 219, and the number of deaths surged by 48, he remarked.

Yurianto noted that all 34 Indonesian provinces were exposed to the COVID-19 disease. The number of affected cities and districts has reached 395, up to three from the day before.

Overall, the government has tested 229,334 specimens using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and molecular rapid tests (TCM).

In general, the government has utilized 69 RT-PCR laboratories and 35 TCM laboratories, he remarked.

Yurianto noted that the latest developments in COVID-19 cases indicated the ongoing spread of COVID-19, though the source of transmission had yet to be found. Some community groups are still prone to contracting the COVID-19 disease over non-compliance to the health protocol in place. (ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has called on Muslims across the nation to perform the Idul Fitri 1441 Hijri prayer at home.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, let us perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer and conduct the halal bi halal (post-Eid al-Fitr gathering) at home, with a limited number of people," Mahfud MD stated in Jakarta on Friday.

The minister remarked that other Islamic organizations, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Muhammadiyah, and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), have made the call to people to pray at home.

The minister affirmed that the call to pray at home was not only applicable in Indonesia but also in Saudi Arabia.

"The holy mosque in Mecca and Medina, Grand Mosque, and Nabawi Mosque were also closed to safeguard Muslims from the spread of COVID-19," he remarked.

To this end, Mahfud has invited Muslims to solemnly perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer at home.

"The post-Eid al-Fitr gathering does not have to be crowded but can also be done virtually, or if meeting with the main family is obligatory, then to limit time and maintain a safe distance," Mahfud expounded.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin had earlier emphasized to desist from conducting worship activities, including prayers in congregation, during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in areas declared as red zones.

"We should worship at home, i.e. the tarawih prayers, reading Qur'an at home. Worship activities in the red zone should not be performed in a mosque in congregation," Amin stated.

Amin is fully sentient of the fact that worship in congregation will reap huge rewards, though during the current COVID-19 pandemic, such activities would cause harm if they were to be continued.

"At the moment, we are in an apprehensive situation. Indeed, there is a lot of merit in congregation, but there is danger," Vice President Amin, concurrently the non-active chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), remarked.

Amin further expounded that the appeal to not worship in congregation during the pandemic incorporated suggestions from the Prophet Muhammad, who stated that Muslims must not hurt themselves and others.

Worshiping in the congregation during a pandemic is akin to increasing the risk to the community and other Muslims.

"Reciting Qur'an, performing i'tikaf (a period of staying in a mosque) during the last 10 days of the holy month in the mosque can potentially raise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We can be infected and transmit the disease since we are carriers," he stated.

Hence, Amin is optimistic that the people would be able to understand the current pandemic situation and be heedful of the appeal to worship in their respective homes, especially during Ramadan.(ANTARA)

As many as 1,970 Indonesians working for several cruise ships in Germany, have returned to Indonesia over the past few weeks, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin.A total of 242 Indonesian crew members of the Mein Schiff 3, Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5, and Mein Schiff 6 cruise ships left for the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali on Wednesday, German time. They landed at the resort island on Thursday, the embassy revealed in a press statement as quoted by Antara.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Germany, Arif Havas Oegroseno, said this is the last repatriation. All of them have tested negative for COVID-19. The Indonesian sailors boarded a chartered flight of TUI Fly's TB 8333, which took off from the Hamburg International Airport at 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday.As of May 19, 2020, the Indonesian Government has facilitated the return of 99,543 Indonesian citizens from abroad. Majority of them are Indonesian migrant workers working in Malaysia and Indonesian sailors employed with foreign cruise ships//ANT

Indonesia's toll road operator PT Waskita Toll Road (WTR) has projected a major decline in toll road traffic volume under its management ahead of Idul Fitri. WTR Corporate Secretary Alex Siwu noted in a statement here on Thursday that traffic volume is projected to decline by 80 percent on the Jakarta toll road, and drop by 60 percent on the Trans Java toll road, as compared to the volume before the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). The decline is also attributable to the government's ban on mudik, or the annual exodus, to stem the transmission of COVID-19.

WTR, a subsidiary of state-owned construction company PT Waskita Karya, has established a task force, that will work in coordination with the police and Transportation Ministry, to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on toll roads and provide roadside assistance. The task force will also ensure that the toll roads are in good condition. Facilities at rest areas, such as mosques, toilets, gas stations, and food stations, will remain open to the public, with the health protocol in place to contain COVID-19 transmission//Ant