Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has made assurance of additional budget being allocated as a precautionary measure to handle the Health Ministry's requirements to tackle and handle novel coronavirus or COVID-19 patients.

"We will look at it in detail, and we fully support (the measures)," Indrawati remarked at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday.

As of today, two COVID-19 patients in Indonesia are confirmed to have contracted the disease. Both patients are being kept in isolation at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Before agreeing to the allocation of additional budgets, Indrawati spoke of firstly assessing the proposed programs from Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto.

"We will look at the (programs) from the Ministry of Health. What are the necessary programs and measures as well as the required budget. They will formulate the program, and we will have a look," she stated.

The minister explained that the additional budget allocation is aimed at staving off the spread of coronavirus in Indonesia, particularly in the event of two confirmed cases of the virus infection currently in the country.

Related news: Minister urges public to not panic over coronavirus infection

"What is important now is that the community maintains confidence in the government's efforts to take steps to deal with the spread of this virus, so that the situation can be managed well and not cause widespread impact," she remarked.

The government has decided to bear the expenses of health services for patients with COVID-19 in accordance with Minister of Health Decree Number HK.01.07 / MENKES / 104/2020 on Determination of Coronavirus Infection as Disease That Can Cause an Outbreak and its Handling that was signed by the health minister on February 4.

"All forms of financing related to mitigation, as referred to in the second dictum, are charged to the budget of the Ministry of Health, regional governments, and/or other legitimate sources of funds in accordance with statutory provisions," according to the second dictum of the Health Minister’s Decree. Related news: Jakarta hospital places six suspected COVID-19 patients in isolation

Related news: Two coronavirus patients in Jakarta in good condition: health minister


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