Indonesia’s COVID-19 death toll soars to 78, with highest number of deaths in a day
The number of deaths caused by COVID-19 in Indonesia has soared to 78 as the Health Ministry announced 20 more deaths on Thursday, the country’s highest one-day death toll increase.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia’s Covid-19 Cases Increase to 893, Single-Day New Cases Again Above 100
The spread of coronavirus in Indonesia has yet to slow down with 103 new positive cases reported over the past two days, bringing the country’s total to 893, the government announced on Thursday.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia plans bonds to fund cheap loans for business
Indonesia’s government is planning to issue bonds aimed at raising funds for struggling businesses under plans to cushion Southeast Asia’s biggest economy against the impact of the coronavirus disruption, an official said on Thursday.
— Reuters
Indonesia may raise budget deficit cap to finance COVID-19 fight
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has revealed that government officials and legislators are in talks to raise Indonesia’s budget deficit cap, which would allow the state to borrow more money to fund emergency response measures to the coronavirus pandemic.
— The Jakarta Post
UPDATE 1-Indonesia has no plan for capital controls, to ramp up fiscal stimulus
Indonesian central bank governor Perry Warjiyo on Thursday said the country has no plan to implement capital control measures to stop outflows due to coronavirus fears, saying that its foreign exchange reserve is more than enough to prop up the currency.
— Reuters
Covid-19; Indonesians May Face 1 Year in Jail for Mass Gathering
The Indonesian Police said that people who insist on gathering in crowds amid the Covid-19 pandemic could be charged with criminal sanctions.
— Tempo.co
Kemayoran COVID-19 Hospital Not Accepting Pediatric Patients
Commander of TNI’s Kodam Jaya military command, Maj. General Eko Margiyono announced that the emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment facility in athlete’s dorm or Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, does not accept pediatric patients and only treats those above 15 years old.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia capital sets up disinfectant-spraying booths to fight virus
Indonesia’s capital is installing hand-washing stations and disinfectant-spraying booths across the city of 10 million people to try to curb an accelerating spread of coronavirus infections.
— Reuters
Indonesia’s hidden coronavirus cases threaten to overwhelm hospitals
The country already has the most deaths in south-east Asia, but research suggests the official 800 infections so far may only be 2% of the total
— The Guardian
Tegal blocks roads into city in first attempt to impose lockdown in Indonesia
The Tegal administration in Central Java has decided to lock the city down to protect its residents from the coronavirus outbreak, which has reached 27 of the country’s 34 provinces.
— The Jakarta Post
IAI deputy SG deems immune-boosting products’ intake safe amid corona
Deputy Secretary-General of the Indonesian Pharmacist Association (IAI) Lusy Noviani here, Thursday, gave a thumbs-up to the intake of immune-boosting products amid the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, calling the practice safe.
— Antara News
More Than a Thousand Indonesians Stuck Under India’s Covid-19 Lockdown
The Indonesian Ambassador to India, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, said more than a thousand Indonesian citizens in India are in now safe condition under a nationwide lockdown.
— Jakarta Globe
Ministry to study proposal to close airports to contain COVID-19
The Transportation Ministry will study the local governments’ intent to suspend all flight services to their respective regions to thwart the spread of COVID-19.
— Antara News
As Jokowi promises millions of chloroquine doses for COVID-19, experts warn against self-medication
Experts are warning the public against panic-buying chloroquine phosphate, an antimalarial drug thought to be a possible treatment for COVID-19, citing the dangerous side effects of the medicine.
— The Jakarta Post
Govt to Issue Protocol on Ramadan Mass Exodus amid Coronavirus
Religious Affairs Ministry’s director-general of Muslim guidance, Kamaruddin Amin, announced that the government will soon decide a policy regarding the Ramadan mass-exodus or Eid homecoming, locally known as mudik, amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19 ) outbreak.
— Tempo.co
No licenses needed to import medical equipment, protective gear until June: Trade Ministry
The Trade Ministry has issued a regulation to temporarily scrap all requirements for importing protective gear and medical equipment to reverse the shortages of such items used to treat COVID-19 patients and prevent further spread.
— The Jakarta Post
Sandiaga Uno Supports Jakarta Coronavirus Lockdown on Conditions
Gerindra party politician Sandiaga Uno claimed that he supported Jakarta lockdown aimed at preventing the coronavirus from spreading further in the city.
— Tempo.co
COVID-19 Pandemic, Ma’ruf Amin: Better for People Not to ‘Mudik’
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has asked the Indonesian people not to practice their annual homecoming trip or ‘mudik’ in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the get-together sought from homecoming could be done through other media or even done on other occasions.
— Tempo.co
COVID-19 Risks Stalling the Indonesia-Australia Economic Partnership
It’s been a year since the signing of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA); the global pandemic could delay the next critical steps.
— The Diplomat
Bank Indonesia ensures sufficient liquidity, sees signs of decline in capital outflows
Bank Indonesia (BI) is ensuring the liquidity in the country’s financial system would be sufficient to meet the people’s needs in the coming months as massive capital outflows seen in the past several days have begun to decline.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesian stocks soar 10% but COVID-19 risks loom
Indonesian stocks rallied more than 10 percent on Thursday following gains in the US market, but analysts warn it may be temporary since COVID-19 risks remain on the radar.
— The Jakarta Post
Anies Baswedan to Take Action against Jakartans Leaving City
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that he is coordinating with the city’s Covid-19 task force to take legal action against Jakartans who travel back to their hometown amid the coronavirus outbreak.
— Tempo.co
How Jakarta Buries Its Coronavirus Dead
The Jakarta provincial government has issued its standard funeral procedures to bury Covid-19 victims.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia ends timber legality rule, stoking fears of illegal logging boom
Environmental experts have warned of a resurgence in illegal logging in Indonesia after the government declared that wood exports would no longer have to comply with a stringent legality check that took a decade to put in place.
— Mongabay
Major restaurants temporarily close as COVID-19 outbreak worsens
Indonesia’s major restaurant chains are struggling to keep business going as customers stay at home to comply with restrictions on social life imposed by the government to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19: ‘Mudik’ begins in Java while government mulls over travel ban
Though the government has yet to decide whether to ban this year’s Idul Fitri mudik (exodus), many Jakarta workers have reportedly returned to their hometowns across Java despite warnings against traveling and public gatherings.
— The Jakarta Post
Port container traffic at Tanjung Priok to improve after 5.13 percent decline: IPC
Container traffic at Indonesia’s biggest and busiest seaport, Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta, declined 5.13 percent year-on-year from January to February, but the port operator expects improvements with factories in China reopening.
— The Jakarta Post
Medical staff prioritized in West Java’s COVID-19 rapid tests
The West Java administration began COVID-19 rapid tests on Wednesday, prioritizing at least 300 medical and non-medical staff of Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) in Bandung who have had close contact with coronavirus-positive patients.
— The Jakarta Post
Ombudsman Criticizes Tycoon’s ‘Personal’ Coronavirus Test
Indonesian Ombudsman commissioner, Alvin Lie, strongly reminds that coronavirus (COVID-19) tests shall not discriminate its test subjects following the coronavirus test held at the house of Indonesian tycoon Jerry Hermawan Lo, which was attended by chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Mochamad Iriawan.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia ‘at war’ with COVID-19: Nadiem Makarim
Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim has said Indonesia is currently waging a war against an invisible, fast-moving enemy that is threatening citizen’s lives — the novel coronavirus disease.
— Antara News
Gov’t Imports to Secure Supply of Staple Food During Pandemic
The Trade Ministry’s data from 34 provinces are showing a reasonable national average price for staple food, except for sugar and garlic that have shown a significant increase.
— Jakarta Globe
215 patients receiving treatment at Emergency Hospital for COVID-19
Around 215 patients were receiving treatment at Jakarta’s Wisma Atlet Kemaroyan emergency hospital, set up to handle COVID-19 cases, as of March 26, said officials.
— Antara News
COVID-19 Emergency Hospital Applies Self-handling System
Commander of the Jakarta Military Regional Command, Major General Eko Margiyono, stated that the COVID-19 Emergency Hospital at Athlete’s Dormitory (Wisma Atlet Kemayoran) is implementing a self-handling system for its patients by utilizing “video call visit” technology.
— Tempo.co
Online groceries thrive as customers avoid supermarkets
For Namira Suniaprita, buying groceries at the supermarket is a hassle amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She has to wear a face mask, use latex gloves and immediately wash the clothes she wore to the store upon returning home.
— The Jakarta Post
Laboratory for COVID-19 tests now available in Central Java
A laboratory in Central Java has been authorized by the Health Ministry to independently carry out COVID-19 tests on patients’ samples, allowing for a faster process of identifying cases of infection in the province.
— The Jakarta Post
West Sumatra reports first COVID-19 case, linked to Malaysia’s mass prayer
The administration of Bukittinggi in West Sumatra announced its first case of COVID-19 on Thursday, saying it was related to a massive Islamic gathering in neighboring Malaysia.
— The Jakarta Post
BI buoyant foreign exchange reserves to suffice in guarding rupiah
Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo has made assurance that the country had adequate foreign exchange reserves to oversee the stabilization of the rupiah exchange rate amid pressure over the coronavirus outbreak.
— Antara News
Rupiah strengthens on back of historic US$2 trillion stimulus package
The Indonesian rupiah strengthened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank market on Thursday morning on the back of the US government’s massive stimulus package to address the rapidly intensifying coronavirus crisis.
— Antara News
Jokowi to return to Jakarta for G20 leaders’ virtual summit
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will return to Jakarta for the G20 leaders’ virtual summit after attending his mother’s funeral, Sujiatmi Notomiharjo, at a family burial complex, Karanganyar, Central Java, Thursday, at 1 p.m. local time.
— Antara News
Support state budget reallocations for COVID-19 handling: BKP
Indonesia’s Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) has voiced its support for the government’s plan to reallocate state budgets for providing healthcare, social security, and economic incentives to help the nation deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Antara News
Two other Wisma Atlet towers can accommodate more COVID-19 patients
Two other towers at Wisma Atlet (athletes’ residence) in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, currently serving as Indonesia’s COVID-19 emergency hospital, can be used to accommodate more COVID-19 patients if the situation deteriorates, a military officer stated.
— Antara News
17 suspected COVID-19 patients test negative for coronavirus in Riau
Some 17 patients suspected of having contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Indonesian province of Riau have tested negative for the virus based on the results of a test conducted on their swab samples.
— Antara News
Government readies social assistance for informal workers
The government has come up with a scheme to offer social assistance to informal workers impacted by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
— Antara News
Palang Hitam runs 24/7 to care for Jakarta’s dead during COVID-19 outbreak
The increasing number of deaths from COVID-19 has profoundly altered the daily pace for those who work to provide mortuary services.
— The Jakarta Post
Viral video shows Southeast Sulawesi family unwrapping body of suspected COVID-19 fatality
A video showing a family uncovering the shroud of a deceased woman suspected to have been COVID-19-positive in Kolaka regency, Southeast Sulawesi went viral over social media.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19: Stores, banks close at quiet Batam’s Hang Nadim Airport
Several stores and state-owned banks at Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam, Riau Islands province have ceased operating because of declining numbers of passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Jakarta Post
Low-Key Private Funeral for Jokowi’s Mother as First Family Observes Physical Distancing
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s late mother, Sudjiatmi Notomihardjo, was buried today next to her husband, Widjianto Notomihardjo, at the family’s burial site in Karanganyar, Central Java.
— Jakarta Globe
COVID-19 Pandemic; Workers, SMEs to Receive Rp5 Million Aid
The government will provide aid in cash transfers, or Bantuan Langsung Tunai (BLT), up to Rp5 million for formal and informal workers as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in a bid to reduce the number of layoffs and to dampen the economic impact hitting the informal sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Tempo.co
Anies: Social Distancing Going Well in Jakarta Public Transport
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan lauded the operational restrictions and physical distancing between passengers carried out in public transportations in Jakarta, such as the MRT, LRT, and Transjakarta.
— Tempo.co
Anies Baswedan Sets 4 Jakarta Hotels for Medical Workers
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has converted four regional-owned hotels as temporary housing for frontline health care workers taking part in the handling of the coronavirus outbreak. One of the hotels is Grand Cempaka Business Hotel belonging to Jakarta Tourisindo.
— Tempo.co
Yogyakarta Sultan HB X: Homecomers Under Quarantine for 14 Days
Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X or Sultan HB X instructed all his staffers to monitor people coming to the city during the coronavirus outbreak and demanded those homecomers to undergo self-quarantine.
— Tempo.co
COVID-19: West Manggarai temporarily closes airport, seaport
The West Manggarai Regency administration is planning to temporarily close Komodo Airport and Labuan Bajo Port in East Nusa Tenggara to slow the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post
Jambi psychologists provide counseling amid COVID-19 spread
Members of the Indonesian Psychological Association (Himpsi) in Jambi are offering counseling services over phone and online as part of efforts to minimize public anxiety amid the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
— Antara News
One terror suspect shot dead, four apprehended in Central Java
The National Police’s Counterterrorism Squad (Densus 88) arrested four terror suspects and shot dead one for resisting arrest in Batang District, Central Java, on Wednesday (Mar 25).
— Antara News
Air carrier industry requires government incentive amid COVID-19
Indonesia’s air carrier industry is in dire need of the government’s incentive after the number of passengers plummeted amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (Inaca) stated.
— Antara News
Court hearings move online as fight against graft must go on
Working from home takes on a whole new meaning in the fight against graft in Indonesia, with courts moving to the virtual world to hear corruption cases.
— The Jakarta Post
One killed, two houses destroyed in Tana Toraja landslide
A landslide hit Maulu hamlet in Rembon district, Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, on Thursday morning, killing a villager and destroying two houses.
— The Jakarta Post
Feature photo BPBD Badung
This week’s Indonesia morning news feature photo focuses on World Meteorological Day, March 23.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
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Indonesia morning news for March 27 added by Justhine De Guzman Uy on
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Justhine De Guzman Uy
After graduation she worked at the Philippine Broadcasting Service performing transcription and business news writing, before moving to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation where she worked as a news editor, translator and production assistant.
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