More And More Cases Of COVID-19, Jokowi Asks Local Governments To Deliver Positive Information To The Public

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Setkab)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked regional heads to provide positive information to the public, especially in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the number of people contracting the SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 virus in Indonesia continues to grow.

As of October 22, there have been more than 377 thousand positive cases of COVID-19 with around 301 thousand recovered and nearly 13 thousand people died. However, Jokowi still wants the local government to convey all developments in handling the pandemic to the public.

"I ask the governors, regents and mayors to continue to give a positive, optimistic tone to the community. Convey policy developments and steps to handle the COVID-19 pandemic at any time," he said, at the '2020 National Coordination Meeting for Inflation Control' which was held. virtually, Thursday, October 22nd.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta also wants the local government to convey the national economic recovery program (PEN) that has been carried out by the government. He requested that regional governments be transparent in providing assistance and aid recipients.

"Explain the national economic recovery program (PEN) that has been carried out by the government and regional governments. Assistance, stimulus, grants that have been given and to anyone," he said.

Not only that, Jokowi also asked local governments to collaborate with community and religious leaders in building a positive spirit in the community.

"Invite people to help each other, remind, work together to face this difficult situation. Build hope, that by unifying we can face all of this. I am sure God willing, with that spirit, our health will recover quickly and the economy will revive," he said.

Data as of 22 October 2020, DKI Jakarta is still at the peak of positive COVID-19 with 989 cases (Photo illustration of traffic in Jakarta / VOI Production Team)