COVID-19 Update As Of May 5: Millions Of Workers Lay Off During The Pandemic

Government spokesman for the handling of COVID-19 Achmad Yurianto (Yuri) (BNPB documentation)

JAKARTA - Government spokesman for the handling of COVID-19 Achmad Yurianto (Yuri) presented temporary data on handling COVID-19 as of Tuesday, May 5. There were an additional 484 positive cases, bringing the total to 12,071 positive cases.

Behind the continued increase in positive cases, there is good news about the number of cured cases which has also increased by a large number. About 243 people were declared cured with a total of 2,197 people.

Then, in the case of death, only 8 new cases were found. With this addition, the number of deaths from COVID-19 has increased to 872 people.

Likewise, the number of people under monitoring (ODP) also increased by 1,046 people with a total of 239,226 people. Meanwhile, cases of patients under surveillance (PDP) increased to a total of 26,408 people.

The impact of the massive spread of COVID-19 has been felt. In about two months, the government implemented Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) in several cities. Thus, the economy seems to have stalled.

Infographics update on the acceleration of the handling of COVID-19 in Indonesia as of 5 May 2020 at 12.00 WIB. # UnitedCovid19 pic.twitter.com/LmRfC4mOkW

- BNPB Indonesia (BNPB_Indonesia) May 5, 2020

Based on reports received, approximately one million workers had to be laid off and hundreds of thousands of workers were fired due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It has illustrated a tremendous impact on the economic sector, by then having more than 1 million workers at home. And then more than 375,000 others who lost their jobs," said Yuri at Graha BNPB, Jakarta, Tuesday, May 5.

Nevertheless, the government has taken steps to improve the community's economy, such as providing assistance. However, each other's communities must help each other.

"The government has prepared an economic stimulus and social safety networks. However, our concern for others is important, our concern for our neighbors and relatives, for our friends is very much needed in this condition," said Yuri.