Minister Of Health Budi Gunadi: We Will Live Long With COVID-19

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin/ANTARA

JAKARTA - Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, reminded that awareness of the implementation of health protocols must be built in all aspects of life so that economic activities can continue to run in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, this virus is certain to last for a long time.

"If we observe, it looks like we will live longer with this virus (COVID-19, ed). This virus will not disappear quickly", Budi said at an online press conference, Monday, August 16.

For this reason, the government will implement a health protocol whose monitoring will be assisted by a digital technology system. The implementation has now been tested in 180 existing malls.

"So we installed a digital technology-based health protocol system in more than 180 malls and now we have tested it. We have checked 1 million people", he said.

In addition to malls, the government will also test various lines such as industry to transportation by land, sea, and air. "Next we will enter religion, then education, tourism. So all our daily life activities will be adjusted to health protocols with the application of digital technology", explained Budi.

The former Deputy Minister of SOEs said the COVID-19 pandemic was like a hurricane. But he is sure that the Indonesian people are capable of dealing with this.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is a hurricane. However, Indonesia is a maritime country and our ancestors knew very well what a storm was", he said.

"We also know that calm oceans will not create reliable sailors. We also know that we are in the same boat and it is precisely in the midst of this storm that our strength and unity are tested. We must work together to take our respective roles", he concluded.