Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Jakarta Metro Jaya Police distributed five million face masks across the capital city and suburban areas of Bekasi, Depok, and Tangerang as part of a campaign to promote donning of masks here on Thursday.

“Today, the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police distributed five million masks simultaneously at 13 Police Resorts under its jurisdiction,” said Commissioner Yusri Yunus, spokesperson for the capital city's police.

In fact, provincial police across Indonesia also distributed face masks simultaneously, he pointed out.

The mask distribution activities were broadcast via live streaming from the Metro Jaya square.

The event was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, Lt. Gen. Moch Fachrudin, Deputy Chief of Police, Commissioner General Gatot Eddy Pramono, and head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Doni Monardo, State Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, among others.

The campaign was dubbed ‘Simultaneous Distribution of Masks, Physical Distancing Campaign, Avoid Crowds, Wear a Mask, and Peaceful and Safe Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) 2020’.

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Earlier, Airlangga Hartarto, chairman of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery, said that the government is continuing to conduct activities under the 3M campaign, which promotes wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding crowds, to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

“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, who is concurrently the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, stated at an online press conference originating from the President's Office on Monday (September 7).

He held the press meet after attending a plenary cabinet meeting on ‘Health Management and Economic Recovery for Strengthening Reform in 2021’, which was 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.

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Translator: Fianda SR, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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