We also have to be at the forefront, in terms of services
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Erick Thohir, on Friday said all state-owned companies are ready to implement the new normal protocols.



"Our target (date) to have the protocols prepared for SOEs was May 25, 2020, but we ended up completing the task on May 27. We can only imagine (the scenario) if we implement the new normal on June 5, but we are not ready, that is why we did them (designing of protocols) first,” the minister said during a virtual discussion in Jakarta.



He further said state-owned enterprises would need to anticipate the new normal, considering they account for a third of the national economy.



"We also have to be at the forefront, in terms of services," he added.



For this reason, he said, all SOEs must form their own task force for COVID-19 handling, with adequate capabilities. State companies must also implement flexible work patterns, considering all SOEs have locations in each Indonesian province, with varying large-scale social restriction (PSBB) policies.



"This is the (current) dynamic. We will also coordinate with the Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 task force," he added.



He further said COVID-19 protocols for SOEs must continue to be evaluated as a coronavirus vaccine is yet to be developed.



"Of course, there would need to be adjustments as long as vaccines and other treatments are not discovered," he stated.



Earlier, Special Staff to the Minister of SOEs, Arya Sinulingga, had stressed that employees of state companies were ready to carry out activities in their offices. However, that would largely depend on the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) policy in each region.



"If the PSBB is lifted, we are ready for a new normal. The mining holding will also join PSBB," he said. (INE)



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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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