Indonesia Highlights: Tito Karnavian’s Message for Regional Heads | Nearly 200 Doctors in Indonesia Died from Covid-19 | Airports Gearing Up for Holiday Travelers

KOMPAS.com – As the situation surrounding the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia worsens, Minister Tito Karnavian has asked regional leaders to step up their efforts.

The Indonesian Home Affairs Minister emphasized that regional heads are responsible for the mitigation of the Covid-19 virus in their area. The nationwide caseload today totaled 538,883 confirmed cases.

In medical-related news, the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) shared that around doctors in Indonesia are dying at an alarming rate from the Covid-19 virus.

IDI Chairman, Daeng M Faqih outlined how 180 doctors have died from the novel virus in line with the rising number of infections nationwide.

Despite the national Covid-19 tally in Indonesia gradually creeping up to 550,000 cases, main airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II is taking steps to prepare for the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.

More details on today’s Indonesia news are highlighted below:

1. Tito Karnavian: Indonesia’s Regional Heads Must Be Proactive

In a press conference held today, Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian stressed the importance of regional heads to take a serious approach in mitigating the spread of Covid-19.

Yesterday, Indonesia broke its daily infections record after 6,267 Covid-19 confirmed cases were detected.

“The figures illustrate the Covid-19 in Indonesia is worsening thus requires swift and proactive action by regional heads to deal with the spread of the virus.”

Tito Karnavian expects regional heads across the country to pay better attention to public health protocols which are governed under Presidential Decree Number 6 Year 2020.

He added that mitigating Covid-19 in Indonesia is part of a challenge for regional heads.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/30/18385061/mendagri-pandemi-covid-19-memburuk-perlu-langkah-cepat-kepala-daerah?page=all#page2 

AFP/CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN

2. More Indonesian Doctors Dying as National Covid-19 Caseload Surges

IDI Chairman, Daeng has asked members of the public to assist the government and medical workers in fighting Covid-19.

The novel virus has so far claimed the lives of nearly 200 doctors in Indonesia.

To break the chain of transmission, citizens and residents can take a more proactive stance regarding testing and tracing measures.

“Frankly, the pandemic is not the sole responsibility of medical workers or government, but for all of us. The pandemic affects every person and region, and we must fight it together.”

Daeng explained that the concern with weak adherence to tracing and testing is the potential of the virus transmission to spread even more. Other means that the public can take include following existing Covid-19 health protocols.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/30/20424391/idi-sebut-tak-kurang-dari-180-dokter-meninggal-selama-pandemi-covid-19?page=2 

3. Indonesian Airport Operator Readying for Year-End Holidays

The President Director of PT Angkasa Pura II, Muhammad Awaluddin laid the three measures his company will concentrate on ahead of the December holidays.

Indonesia’s primary airport operator is expecting an uptick in the number of passengers passing through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and 18 other airports during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“We will accommodate the needs of passengers traveling for the year-end holidays by focusing on slot time, extra flights, and extending the operational hours at airports.”

Angkasa Pura II will also begin monitoring flight traffic and the readiness of Indonesia’s main airport, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport from Dec. 18, 2020, until Jan. 4, 2021.

Source: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2020/11/30/13422831/angkasa-pura-ii-persiapkan-tiga-hal-hadapi-lonjakan-penumpang-libur