I urge the governors, whose provinces host food estate development, to give full support for accelerating licensing
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo appealed to governors of provinces, where food estate development was underway, to offer complete support to matters related to speeding up licensing for the project.

"I urge the governors, whose provinces host food estate development, to give full support for accelerating licensing," the head of state noted in his opening remarks during a limited cabinet meeting on COVID-19 handling and implementation of vaccinations via a video conference here on Wednesday.

The head of state remarked that food estate development is crucial for food security in the country. The president is keen that food barns be built in several districts and provinces of Indonesia.

"We hope to finish it well in 2021," Jokowi affirmed.

At the meeting, Widodo also highlighted the strategy for handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The president stated that the strategy for handling the pandemic remains the same as that of the previous year, through the triad of health treatment, social protection, and economic recovery.

The head of state vouched for working hard to control COVID-19 transmissions as the key to bringing about economic recovery.

In the meantime, Indonesia has, so far, received a total of three million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac Biotech.

The vaccine was distributed to various regions reporting high number of COVID-19 cases, with priority accorded to healthcare workers during the vaccine administration process.

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian declared that the Indonesian government will commence COVID-19 vaccination, with the administration of the first symbolic injection to be led by President Widodo on January 13, 2021.

The vaccination will continue on January 14-15, 2021, Karnavian noted here on Tuesday.

In spite of the vaccination, the minister advised Indonesians to always apply the 3M health protocols of wearing masks, washing hands, and practicing social distancing. Indonesia has received a total of three million doses of the vaccine so far.

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Translator: Rangga PAJ, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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