VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - The Indonesian government will optimize industries that manufacture self-protection devices and other equipment for handling coronavirus (COVID-19), Doni Monardo, head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling, stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"We have spoken to Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang that all industries that produce equipment to support the handling of COVID-19 will be optimized," Monardo remarked after a meeting with President Joko Widodo and all governors held to discuss measures to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is applicable to not only the textile industry to produce self-protection devices but also to manufacturers of masks, hand sanitizers, and other equipment. Hence, the local industries can meet the local demand and not depend on foreign assistance. They can work on partnership with producers of components of the equipment in regions, he said.

If the production can be maximized, Indonesia can, in future, supply self-protection gear to other countries in need, as the textile industry is mostly centered in South and Southeast Asia.

During the meeting, all governors have echoed their commitment to applying the government's policy on physical distancing.

He highlighted the need to follow a disciplined approach in practicing physical distancing.

As of Monday (March 23), Indonesia had 579 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with the death toll reaching 49, while 30 had recovered. (ANTARA) 

Indonesia’s central administration has provided 125,000 rapid test kits to 34 provinces for screening those coming in close contact with coronavirus patients and medical workers, said government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Achmad Yurianto.

"We have distributed 125,000 rapid test kits to 34 provinces," he said in Jakarta, Tuesday.

The provinces will use the rapid tests for two groups — those who have been in close contact with COVID-19 positive patients, and medical workers involved in coronavirus countermeasures, he said.

More kits will be distributed in the next phase, based on the areas where cases have emerged and areas with potential for infection.

"In the context of rapid tests, we have established a policy where the test will be carried out against those who have had contact with confirmed positive cases being treated in the hospital, or positive cases who are self-isolating at home," he added.

Yurianto further said contact tracing would involve testing family members living in the same house as a patient. If patients have a history of working in a certain place, with possibility of close contact, tests will also be carried out at their workplace, he added.

"Our second priority is medical workers involved in COVID-19 treatment, including hospital front-office workers. They are the group vulnerable to infection," he continued.

Tests will be carried out against the two prioritized groups in the first phase.

He further said that if there are more rapid test kits coming in, there will be region-based inspections, similar to the ones carried out in South Jakarta.

"The execution of the rapid test will be decentralized to health facilities in the region, such as health centers, regional laboratories, as well as government and regional hospitals," he said. (ANTARA) 

Jakarta - The Indonesian rupiah strengthened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank market on Tuesday morning on the back of positive sentiment toward risk assets.

The rupiah increased 85 points, or 0.51 percent, to Rp16,490 per US dollar at 9:10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, from Rp16,575 per US dollar earlier.

"The US Central Bank's sudden announcement yesterday night to release a credit program to US businesspersons through the banking system has lent a positive sentiment to some of the risk assets," Monex Investindo Futures chief researcher Ariston stated.

On Tuesday morning, Asian share indexes, including Nikkei and Kospi strengthened, and so did the Australian share index and the Futures SAP 500 share index.

In the meantime, the currencies of emerging markets also strengthened against the US dollar.  

"This will also lend a positive sentiment to the rupiah today. The rupiah may strengthen to the level of Rp16,000," he remarked.

Moreover, the market awaits the US Senate's approval of a US$2-trillion stimulus on Tuesday. If the stimulus is approved, it will further strengthen the rupiah, he noted.

He has forecast the rupiah to trade at between Rp16,000 and Rp16,575 per US dollar on Tuesday. (ANTARA) 

Jakarta - President Joko Widodo has asked the Minister of Health to implement the necessary norms, standards, and procedures for providing health insurance coverage to patients diagnosed with COVID-19, or the coronavirus disease.

The President made the statement during a limited meeting on healthcare and social security agency funding, held via video conference on Tuesday from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

"To the Minister of Health: implement the norms, standards, and procedures necessary for providing health insurance services to COVID-19 (patients),” he said.

The President said the norms must cover information on health facilities, service costs, and data collection from health facilities providing services to COVID-19 patients.

Jokowi said he would like to remind all parties involved that it is the nation’s duty to ensure the National Health Insurance system is functioning properly and sustainably for the people of Indonesia in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANTARA)