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Jokowi to be tested for COVID-19 amid heightened concerns
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. (JP/-)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he would have himself tested for COVID-19 on Sunday afternoon, in the wake of the announcement that Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi had tested positive for the disease.
“This afternoon,” Jokowi said at a press conference in regard to whether he would undergo a medical check-up.
He said all other members of his Cabinet had already been tested for COVID-19 earlier on Sunday morning.
“Please ask Health Minister [Terawan Agus Putranto] for the results.”
On Saturday night, State Secretary Pratikno announced that Budi had tested positive for COVID-19 and had been labeled as Case 76.
Prior to testing positive, Budi had attended a Cabinet meeting led by Jokowi on Wednesday.
The meeting’s other attendees included State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Home Minister Tito Karnavian, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis, as well as North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi and acting Medan mayor Akhyar Nasution, among others.
Jokowi has called on all Indonesians to practice what epidemiologists call social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
“Under the current conditions, it’s time for us to work from home, study from home and worship at home,” Jokowi said at a press conference at Bogor Palace in West Java on Sunday. “It’s time for us to work together, to help each other, to unite and cooperate. We want this to be a community movement, so that the COVID-19 problem can be addressed to the fullest.”
As of Sunday afternoon, Indonesia had announced 117 confirmed COVID-19 cases, resulting in five deaths. Regional heads in a number of areas – including Jakarta, Banten and West Java – have decided to temporarily close schools and public areas in an effort to contain the coronavirus. (rfa)
