The minister, who is serving as the coordinator for the emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali, made the request during a meeting reviewing vaccinations, the implementation of mobility restrictions, and the optimization of military facilities for self-isolation and reinforcements, held virtually on Friday.
"I ask for regional police and military chiefs to carry out patrols in the outskirts areas. Vaccinations can be distributed directly there in the area," Pandjaitan said in a statement received here on Friday.
In the month of July, 2021, Indonesia will have an additional 46 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and they will be distributed to those living in the outlying and slum areas that do not have access to health facilities, he informed.
He further said that he had asked the military and police forces to identify marginal locations in each area and ensure the availability of food, especially rice.
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"This is micro-targeted. Vaccines, medicines, and social aid in the form of rice for those in the outskirts area -- these need to be carried out," the minister said, adding that access to food in such areas needs to be ensured.
He also asked all ministers present at the meeting to carry out their response, in accordance with their respective fields and duties in regard to the report delivered by the military and police chiefs in each area.
Meanwhile, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir affirmed his support for the directive.
"I will go on a video conference call with the Minister of Health in regard to the matter, and for rice support, we will cooperate with the logistics agency (Bulog)," he said.
Similarly, Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, said that she will distribute social assistance packages to people with the help of the police and military forces. A total of 1,500 packages will be distributed in every 100 cities/districts, she added.
She further said that officers on the ground will have the sanction to propose additional packages should they be needed.
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Translator: Ade Irma Junida,Aria Cindyara
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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