Welcoming State Guests, President Jokowi "Confident" Taking Off Masks

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and state guest of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier still wore masks while indoors.

However, when they were outside, such as when President Jokowi welcomed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bogor Presidential Palace Courtyard, both of them took off their masks because of the low transmission rate of COVID-19 in Indonesia.

"We remain consistent (health protocols). Outside we can open the mask, outside it's very small. But once you enter the room, you are expected or advised to still wear a mask. The President and his guests are the same way," said Budi at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Thursday, June 16. President Jokowi welcomed President Steinmeier with a state ceremony at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Thursday. When he arrived, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was greeted by the Archipelago Troops, Equestrian Troops, and the Music Corps of the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres).

The welcoming procession was then followed by an official welcoming ceremony by playing the national anthems of the two countries and accompanied by the sound of cannons blasting 21 times. After the cannon blast finished, the two leaders then carried out an inspection of the honorary troops.

The two leaders then introduced the delegations of each country who were also present at the ceremony. In every welcoming procession to the conversation on the Veranda of the Bogor Presidential Palace, it seemed that the two heads of state were not wearing masks.

"Indonesia is good now. We are not a very aggressive country to remove (masks). Stay alert and careful. The President's message must be carried out, outside we can remove masks, but inside we still wear masks," said the Minister of Health.

Currently, President Jokowi is holding a face-to-face meeting with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.