Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's government continues to conduct activities of the 3M campaign of wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding crowds to prevent COVID-19 transmission, Airlangga Hartarto, chairman of Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery, stated.

"Regarding the next 3M campaign, in accordance with the directives and in keeping with the campaign on wearing masks, we start from September 7, 2020, which is today, until October 6, 2020, with (the campaign bearing) the tagline, 'Let's Keep a Distance and Avoid Crowds,'" Hartarto, concurrently the coordinating minister for economic affairs, stated during a virtual press conference from the President's Office here on Monday after attending a plenary cabinet meeting themed, "Health Management and Economic Recovery for Strengthening Reform in 2021" led by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"For the next campaign from October 7 to November 6, 2020, (the tag line) will be 'Let's Wash Hands and Use Soap" as October 15, 2020, is' Global Hand Washing Day,'" he revealed.

During the cabinet meeting, President Jokowi sought greater awareness of the spread of COVID-19 in three clusters: offices, families and the upcoming regional head elections.

The head of state urged the home affairs minister and legal enforcers to take stern actions against election candidates organizing a crowd of supporters during the election registration process.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has drafted health protocols against the transmission of COVID-19 during the implementation of the simultaneous regional head elections (Pilkada) process in 270 regions.

Earlier, the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) reminded that during the candidate registration period on Sept 4-6, 2020, several candidates, including in Medan, Solo, Karawang, and Surabaya, had violated the requisite health protocols owing to the congregation of people in their convoys and parades.

As of Sunday (Sept 7), the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia had reached 194,109, with 3,444 additional cases over the last 24 hours. As many as 138,575 people had recovered from the novel coronavirus disease, while the death toll reached 8,025.

The country also recorded 89,701 suspects and examined a total of 2,433,752 specimens.

COVID-19 has spread to all 34 provinces in Indonesia, with the highest reported figure in Jakarta, reaching 46,333; followed by 35,634 in East Java; 15,351 in Central Java; 12,684 in South Sulawesi; and 12,505 in West Java. Related news: Indonesia's economy starts to move: Minister Hartarto
Related news: COVID-19 vaccine: Indonesia to have 30 mln doses by year-end





Translator: Desca LN, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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