The minister has urged several governors to follow (a similar) measure taken by South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has asked the governors of eight provinces with the highest COVID-19 case load nationwide to convert two- or three-star hotels into quarantine facilities for patients.

The hotels could serve as quarantine centers for asymptomatic patients, as well as for patients who show mild symptoms, the minister's spokesperson, Jodi Mahardi, said adding, Pandjaitan made the demand during a virtual coordination meeting on COVID-19 on Thursday (September 18, 2020).

“The minister has urged several governors to follow (a similar) measure taken by South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah,” Mahardi said in a statement.

Pandjaitan also asked that disinfection efforts be expanded through cooperation between the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) and regional authorities. The minister asked BNPB head Doni Monardo to disinfect crowded areas everyday, or once every two days, Mahardi informed.

Speaking on using hotels as quarantine and isolation facilities, Monardo said that would provide a solution for the current high occupancy at intensive care units in hospitals.

"Regarding hotels preparedness, I have already set a coordination contact with regional governments, so if they are short of funds, we would help to provide (funding), along with recommendation of local health service," Monardo informed.

The coordination meeting was attended by Pandjaitan, Monardo, as well as Special Staff of Health Minister for Health Development and Funds, Dr. Alexander K Ginting, Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, and Governor of North Sumatra, Edy Rahmayadi.

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Translator: Ade Irma Junida, Suwanti
Editor: Sri Haryati
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