"Ensure that drugstores and shops supplying and selling basic necessities remain opened to serve the needy. Concurrently, ensure that our people consistently maintain the recommended social distancing measures," President Jokowi stated.
Speaking at a videoconference meeting, held at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Tuesday, Jokowi highlighted the need to ensure that pharmacies across the country stayed open to ensure continued supply of medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE) to those in need.
President Jokowi also highlighted the significance of expediting the supply chains of PPE to meet the demands of hospitals across Indonesia as well as the availability of wards at emergency hospitals, including the one in Jakarta's Wisma Atlet (Athletes' Residence).
The head of state called for the need to integrate the registration systems for patients at both regular and emergency hospitals tasked with treating those diagnosed with coronavirus symptoms to facilitate prompt service to those in need.
As of Monday (March 30), Indonesia had 1,414 confirmed cases of which 75 were discharged from hospitals, while 122 others died of this deadly virus.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases were found in 30 provinces comprising 698 in Jakarta, 180 in West Java, 128 in Banten, 91 in East Java, 81 in Central Java, 50 in South Sulawesi, 18 in Yogyakarta, 17 in East Kalimantan, 19 in Bali, 13 in North Sumatra, nine in Papua, seven in Central Kalimantan, three in Riau Islands, and eight each in West Sumatra and Lampung.
The coronavirus outbreak that initially struck in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of December 2019 infected at least 785,777 people worldwide, while death toll from this virus was recorded at no less than 37,815 as of Tuesday.
According to the Worldometers' website, 165,607 people were reported to have recovered from COVID-19. Related news: President orders clarity in rules on large-scale social distancing
Related news: Physical distancing is better alternative to lockdown: President
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Translator: Rangga PAJ, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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