Passengers ride a commuter line in Jakarta. (ANTARA)

Indonesian Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto has approved the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, as part of efforts to step up response to the novel coronavirus disease.

“The Makassar Mayor had earlier proposed the imposition of PSBB in the city, and based on the evaluation of our technical team, PSBB can be implemented there," Terawan noted in a statement issued here on Thursday.

The minister signed Ministerial Decree No. HK.01.07/Menkes/257/2020 on the imposition of PSBB in Makassar on April 16, 2020.

Before large-scale restrictions are approved for any city, a team from the Health Ministry conducts an epidemiology study and evaluates the city's preparedness in terms of the social, economic, and other aspects.

After a study was carried out in Makassar, the ministry concluded that the city be allowed to impose PSBB on account of a considerable spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.

The restrictions need to be followed up by consistent efforts from the city administration to promote a clean and healthy lifestyle among residents.

So far, the Health Minister has approved the imposition of PSBB in Jakarta; Bekasi District/Municipality, Depok City, and Bogor District/Municipality in West Java; Tangerang District/Municipality and South Tangerang City in Banten; and, Pekanbaru in Riau.

PSBB can be imposed in a region at the approval of the Health Minister. It is effective for a period of 14 days and can be extended if the authorities still find cases of virus transmissions in the region.

Following the issuance of a ministerial decree, a governor’s regulation needs to be issued to serve as a form of technical guidance on the implementation of PSBB.

The Health Minister has rejected proposals for according PSBB status to some regions, including Bolaang Mongondow District in North Sulawesi, Fakfak District and Sorong City in Papua, Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan, and Rote Ndao District in East Nusa Tenggara.

The regions have not been able to impose restrictions as they are yet to meet the criteria set for PSBB. (ANTARA)

Jakarta (VOI News) - The Indonesian government confirms its efforts in combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic at home. This was said by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi in a virtual press statement on Thursday in Jakarta. She said at this time, all countries in the world were facing a health crisis that had never been experienced before. According to her, this challenge has encouraged the Indonesian government to work hard in dealing with domestic conditions in overcoming COVID-19. She stressed, there is no one size fits all countries in dealing with a pandemic. According to her, there is no guarantee that policies in one country can be applied in other countries. However, she said, every country needs to learn from other countries' experiences, best practices, and even learn from the deficiencies of other countries in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi stressed that the Indonesian government continues to increase efforts that can be made in countering the spread of the virus.

“The government of Indonesia will spare no effort to scale up, I would like to repeat, to scale up its effort to fight the virus. Every day we evaluate our policies, try to make them implementable and give more impact in our fights against the virus. This not easy of course but we will continue to do so. A multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral, all of government, and a whole of nation approaches are pursued with maximum effort. Policies adopted by governments are always based on the relevant and unique characteristics of a country. Whether its culture, demographic condition, or economy,” Retno Marsudi said.

Meanwhile related to international cooperation in handling COVID-19, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that it was necessary to strengthen international cooperation so that people around the world could return to normal life. Related to this, she said, Indonesia had pushed the initiative in the resolution of the UN General Assembly held virtually on April 2, 2020, which encouraged global solidarity to combat COVID-19. She said at present, Indonesia's foreign diplomacy is focusing on efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic while protecting both Indonesian citizens abroad and foreign nationals at home.

“Indonesia consistently wants to ensure that our containment measure in restricting the movement of people will not disrupt global trade and supply chain, including medical goods and medicines. Like other countries, Indonesia and the world, in general, are facing shortages in various medical supplies. In this connection, collaboration with other countries is not just necessary but it is a must,” Retno added.

Meanwhile, related to the protection of citizens, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that every country must open the door for repatriation. She also stressed the importance of implementing health protocols in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Related to this she said that the Indonesian Ministry of Health had issued a protocol for medical evacuation, both for Indonesian people from abroad and for foreigners at home. (VOI/Ndy/AHM)

A Bogor-bound commuter line stops at Manggarai Station during rush hour on Wednesday (April 15, 2020). (ANTARA)

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has urged ad interim Transportation Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan to suspend commuter lines in and around Jakarta while the capital implements large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to control coronavirus spread.

"Two days ago, I proposed the suspension of commuter lines to the Transportation Minister while the PSBB is in place," Anies said at a meeting with the House of Representatives' COVID-19 control supervisory team in Jakarta on Thursday.

Anies said the Transportation Ministry is deliberating on the proposal and will likely approve it after social assistance has been distributed among coronavirus affected-people.

"They are still discussing it. According to the reply I received, the operation of commuter lines will be restricted after social assistance has been distributed," he revealed.

He said the city administration has begun reducing the number of operating hours and passengers for public transport vehicles.

"The number of operating hours has been reduced and the number of passengers is also being controlled at the entrance of bus stops and stations. They (passengers) are being allowed to get onto a bus or train if there is sufficient space," he explained.

The number of passengers using TransJakarta, managed by the Jakarta administration, has dropped significantly to 91 thousand on Wednesday (April 15) from 103 thousand on April 1, he continued.

Under normal conditions, TransJakarta carries 550 thousand to one million passengers per day. (ANTARA)

Head of Presidential Staff Moeldoko led the Coordination Meeting of the Domestic Ventilator Production Plan through a videoconference from the Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/4) (KSP Documentation)

Three state-owned domestic companies voiced readiness to produce thousands of ventilators deemed necessary for patients exposed to a new type of coronavirus or COVID-19.

Head of Presidential Staff Moeldoko noted in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday that PT Len Industri, PT Pindad, and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) were the strategic industries.

It also aligns with President Joko Widodo's instructions to optimize domestic resources in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. The head of state has also instructed to augment the use of raw material components from within the country.

"The opportunity to produce ventilators in the country aims to meet the requirement of breathing aids for COVID-19 patients," Moeldoko affirmed.

Moeldoko has also invited all industries to apply the president’s directive so that the domestic industry can more optimally handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I am proud because several parties, both companies, and universities, have come up with initiatives on ventilator production," he pointed out.

President Director of PTDI Elfien Goentoro claimed that his side was able to produce one thousand ventilators in a week. PTDI has collaborated with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS) as an innovator in manufacturing ventilators.

"We have ensured that the prototype cleared the test from the Health Facilities Safety Center (BPFK)," he stated.

President Director of PT Len Zakky Gamal is eyeing a daily ventilator production of up to 50 by May 2020.

"We expect the support of KSP (Presidential Staff Office) to accelerate development in the issuance of this production permit and ventilator distribution permit," Gamal stated.

Currently, PT Len is preparing to mass-produce ventilators that have passed the Health Facilities Safety Agency (BPFK) test. Furthermore, PT Len is readying a prototype industrial design developed with the Technology Assessment and Application Agency (BPPT).

Pindad President Director Abraham Mose is targeting to produce 40 ventilators on a daily basis, with the use of local products.

"This is designed to serve as an alternative solution to the lack of ventilator devices in hospitals. The component vendor comes from Pindad itself temporarily," Mose noted.

In the meantime, Director of Pharmacy and Medical Devices Supervisor of the Ministry of Health Sodikin Sadek stated that currently, 18 research teams from ITS, ITB, and UGM were there specifically for ventilators as well as from LIPI and companies producing medical devices.

Presently, the BPFK, in charge of licensing medical devices, is assisting several universities and companies in the ventilator production process. (ANTARA)