Indonesian President Warns Against Complacency in Fight against Covid-19

SURABAYA, KOMPAS.com - President Joko Widodo has warned the Indonesian public against complacency as the country continues to head into the New Normal phase.

Speaking in Surabaya, East Java on Thursday, June 25, the President said, “We are currently facing an economic and health crisis. We cannot afford to be complacent. [We will] put ourselves in grave danger if we do so as the coronavirus is still a threat.”

Also read: Indonesian Public Still Flout Health Protocols 

“We have to adapt to Covid-19. This means we have to stay productive instead of giving up or giving in [to the pandemic],” added Jokowi. “This condition will last until we find a vaccine.”

Maintaining precautions

The President warned the public not to let their guard down.

"We should maintain precautions such as wearing masks or washing our hands. We should also avoid needless contact with crowds or other mass gatherings.” 

President Jokowi also urged tighter cooperation between the central government and the provinces against the coronavirus.

“The provinces should consult the Covid-19 Task Force before they enter the New Normal phase.” 

“They should also restore normalcy gradually,” he added.

Also read: President Jokowi Focuses on 3 Provinces Hit Hard by Covid-19

President Jokowi will also see firsthand Surabaya and the city of Banyuwangi's level of preparedness ahead of the New Normal phase. The President's working visit to East Java is his first trip outside of Jakarta since the Covid-19 pandemic struck Indonesia last March.

President Jokowi named East Java as one of three provinces to focus on due to their high coronavirus cases, along with South Sulawesi and South Kalimantan.

The province has the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia with 10,092, second only to DKI Jakarta with 10,123. 

(Writer: Rakhmat Nur Hakim/Editors: Diamanty Meiliana, Robertus Belarminus)

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/06/25/11161401/jokowi-jangan-sampai-ada-yang-merasa-kita-normal-normal-saja-berbahaya. 
https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/06/25/11164511/jokowi-kita-sedang-hadapi-krisis-kesehatan-dan-ekonomi?page=all#page2.