President Jokowi Visits Covid-19 High-Risk Areas in East Java

During his visit, President Jokowi was informed that 70 percent of residents in East Java refuse to wear masks in public amid the pandemic.

“The figure is too high,” he said.

He said that the local administrations and the task force should raise public awareness about the danger of coronavirus and the importance of health protocols such as wearing mask, practicing physical distancing, and washing of hands with soap.

“I called on the religious leaders, community leaders to help raise awareness of health protocols,” he said.

Besides, he told the Ministry of Health and the National Covid-19 Task Force to provide masks for the people in East Java.

Banyuwangi ready for new normal

From Surabaya the president then proceeded to Banyuwangi, or about 300 km east of Surabaya. He made impromptu walkabouts to a traditional market in Rogojampi subdistrict. The president, who was accompanied by Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas, met directly with the residents all the while practicing physical distancing and wearing facemask.

Also read: Moeldoko: Indonesian Government Prioritizes Beyond Economy amid Pandemic

He visited the public service market in the area to get a closer look at how the facility provides services for the people such as printing family cards and identity cards. Accompanying him was the Head of Investment Agency and One Stop Integrated Services Office at Banyuwangi Regency Wawan Yatmadi.

From the market, the president then visited Villa So Long and So Long Beach to see the preparation of tourism operators to enter the new normal. Jokowi said that Banyuwangi is one of the areas that have improved their tourism sector amid Covid-19 pandemic. This includes the implementation of health protocols by using technology for tourist capacity management.

Travelers are required to apply online before visiting a tourist destination. The system will automatically stop the registration process when reaching a certain number of visitors based on the physical distancing measures.

The local government also conducts competency tests on health protocols for tour guides by involving medical experts. The tour guides will also be trained to have better understanding about health protocols. "I see that Banyuwangi is the most ready area in preparing programs toward the new normal," Jokowi said.

(Writer: Ihsanuddin | Editor: Fabian Januarius Kuwado)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/06/26/10252451/kunjungan-jokowi-ke-zona-merah-covid-19?page=1.