"This is also an effort to help control COVID-19," East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak told reporters after receiving the mask donation at the Grahadi State Building here on Thursday.
According to him, masks are now a mandatory requirement at all times for everyone, so the mask donation would be beneficial.
"Hopefully, it can be used to help volunteers and residents who are currently struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
The Deputy Governor also thanked the Jakarta Korea Trade Center (Kotra), which played a role in sending the assistance.
He said he is optimistic that Kotra, which also has an office in Surabaya, can help make friendly relations between East Java and Gyeongnam more close, intense, and effective.
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East Java and Gyeongnam have enjoyed friendly relations since 1996 or for about 25 years, he noted.
"We believe the synergy between East Java and Gyeongnam is getting better," he remarked.
"Hopefully, this can continue to be a collaboration and an image that strengthens brotherly ties," he added.
Meanwhile, the director of Gyeongnam Jakarta, Yoo Seung Hee, expressed his gratitude to the East Java provincial government for holding the handover event.
According to him, Gyeongnam Jakarta is trying to strengthen the friendship between Gyeongnam and East Java.
The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was confirmed in March 2020. Since then, the government has been adopting several strategies to curb virus transmissions.
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Translator: Fiqih Arfani,Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
