VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Finance has directed funding of Rp3.3 trillion to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to handle the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As quoted by Antara News Agency, the Ministry's Director General for Budget, Askolani, confirmed that  the  funding is part of the budget amounting to Rp75 trillion provided by the government through Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) No. 1 of 2020. During an online press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday

Askolani stated the Ministry of Finance has channeled some initial funding of some Rp3.3 trillion to the BNPB to be utilized in the near future for handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Askolani explained that the BNPB will utilize the funds to cater to requirements in the health service sector, including for establishment of hospital facilities and infrastructure, provision of medical equipment, human resources, as well as a precautionary measure to cater to subsequent needs//Ant

Indonesia received 300 disinfectant sprayers from South Korea to help stem the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. As quoted by Antara News Agency, South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Chang Beom symbolically handed over the humanitarian aid to Harmensyah, general secretary of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as the coordinator of the COVID-19 Response Task Force in Indonesia, at the BNPB building in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Harmensyah stated on behalf of the Indonesian government, task force, and the entire Indonesian nation, Indonesia  express its great gratitude (to the South Korean government) for the assistance and close cooperation with Indonesia. May this assistance be helpful in Indonesian efforts to fight COVID-19. The government will soon distribute it to the people in need. He affirmed that the Indonesian government is still open to receiving assistance in the form of protective gear and ventilators//Ant

Germany has compiled a list of actions, including the obligation to wear masks in public, barring public meetings and tracking the chain of infection, after quarantine of the region ended on April 19. As reported by Reuters, the proposal, which is contained in the draft action plan that is compiled by Ministry of Home Affairs’ documents and seen by Reuters recently, stated that such measures must be able to maintain the number of infected people. Even when social activities gradually allow to be implemented. Thus, there must be a mechanism to track the contact history of people who are positive for COVID-19 within 24 hours after diagnosis. If that can be done, schools will be reopened and strict border controls will be relaxed//ANT

The United Nations calls for a global ban on wildlife markets. This is important to be implemented to prevent the emergence of a pandemic in the future. Acting Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention for Biological Diversity, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema said countries must prevent future pandemics by banning "wet markets" that sell wild and dead wild animals for human consumption. Mrema when interviewed by the Guardian recently said it would be good to ban the live animal market as did China and several countries. But banning the wild animal market can also open up the possibility of illegal wildlife trade. Some species are on the verge of extinction due to this practice. Mrema believes that there really needs to be an alternative solution to overcome this situation//REP