We believe the COVID-19 pandemic can be handled as soon as possible, so matters can return to normalcy, and we can meet together directly.
Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA) - The United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) for Asia and the Pacific has come up with a joint strategy to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, its chairperson stated.

UCLG President Tri Rismaharini, concurrently Surabaya mayor, spoke of having held a limited meeting via teleconference with UCLG-Aspac members at the Surabaya City Hall on Thursday.

"We believe the COVID-19 pandemic can be handled as soon as possible, so that matters can return to normalcy, and we can meet together directly," she noted.

The UCLG-Aspac members participating in the limited meeting comprised UCGL-Aspac Secretary General Bernadia Irawati, Chair of UCLG Standing Committee of Women in Local Governments Chen Yini, Mayor of South Korea's Jeonju Kim Seung-soo, and Mayor of the Philippines' Iriga Madelaine Alfelor.

The other participants were Malaysia's Subang Jaya Mayor Noraini Binti Roslan, Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance of Japan's Keio University Dr Rajib Shaw, and Head of Incheon ONEA-GETI, UNDRR, Sanjaya Bhatia.

Rismahirini highlighted that the safety of citizens of the Asia Pacific was one of the association's responsibilities, and as UCLG-Aspac president, she vowed to take all necessary steps for the community.

"However, more importantly, we should not panic and take guarded steps to face the challenge together," she emphasized.

The UCLG president highlighted the importance of cooperation among UCLG members to address the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Hence, Rismahirini has positively welcomed the launch of condensed guidance by local governments in Asia as one of the instruments to support the strategy to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective cities.

The UCLG president pointed to the varied steps taken by the Surabaya city government to prevent or cut the chain of COVID-19 spread.

Since the first coronavirus case surfaced in Surabaya, the city government has begun taking steps to prevent transmission of the virus by optimally utilizing all resources.

"We have done all we can to help the public tide through this difficult pandemic phase. We have made several announcements to the public to provide reliable information on how we can deal with the pandemic and take preventive steps, so we will remain healthy," she added.
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Translator: Abdul Hakim/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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