We will soon leave the year 2020. We all saw the year 2020 was a very heavy test.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo described 2020 as the heaviest year in the world's history as the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed 215 countries in health and economic crises.
"We will soon leave the year 2020. We all saw the year 2020 was a very heavy test," he said in his New Year address on Thursday.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to health and economic crises in 215 countries, he added.
Right now, the global COVID-19 caseload has reached 82 million, with 1.8 million people succumbing to the infection, Widodo noted.
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"Many people lost jobs. Many people lost [their] livelihood, making 2020 the heaviest year in the world's history," he remarked.
The Indonesian nation also could not shun this ordeal and heavy test, he said.
“But, we must thank God that we are able to remain tough to face it. We remain upright to run the wheel of life," he added.
The President said the Indonesian nation has become accustomed to adapting to the new norms as part of efforts to restrict the pandemic, while it has worked on economic issues one by one.
He further called on the community to remain optimistic about the future.
"Happy New Year 2021. May God Almighty give mercy and guidance to all of us," he said.
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Translator: Hanni Sofia/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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