(It imparts a) shock value on the public in raising awareness towards efforts to prevent the spread and transmission of COVID-19 that has been declared as a national disaster
Jakarta (ANTARA) - People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Bambang Soesatyo supported the National Police Force's measures to persistently disperse crowds to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to abide by the government's call for physical distancing.

"I support the measures taken by the government and National Police Force (Polri) in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 to protect public health," he noted in a statement received here, Tuesday.

In order to ensure the effectiveness of the program, he stated that the Polri should disseminate information concerning strict measures to be taken by the authorities.

Such actions can be in the form of imposing criminal sanctions on those disregarding the appeal to stay at home and failing to practice physical distancing.

"(It imparts a) shock value on the public in raising awareness towards efforts to prevent the spread and transmission of COVID-19 that has been declared as a national disaster," he stated.

The former speaker of the House of Representatives urged the government, through the security forces, to aggressively conduct mobile patrol activities to remind the people that have yet to fully comprehend the dangers of the spread and transmission of COVID-19.

He further expounded that the measure aimed at furnishing comprehensive information on the criticality of practicing physical distancing aimed at protecting the public and families from contracting COVID-19 as well as providing guidelines for clean and healthy living in the community.

"The government should appeal to all governmental institutions, local communities, and neighborhoods to educate the public to practice social distancing until the situation returns to normal," he emphasized.

Such measures are expected to stem the spread of COVID-19 that has claimed 55 lives in Indonesia. As of March 24, the number of positive cases of coronavirus was found to have reached 686. Related news: Establish health coverage norms for coronavirus patients: President

Related news: Bank Indonesia: Inflation under control in March at 0.11 percent

Close

EDITED BY INE

Translator: Imam B/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020