Government prepares strategy to deal with possible endemic: Minister Muhadjir Effendy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has said the Indonesian government is currently preparing a strategy to deal with endemic if COVID-19 persists for a long time in the country.

"This means (the strategy will be implemented) if the disease becomes a sporadic outbreak in certain places, similar to flu, dengue fever, and so on," said Muhadjir Effendy in a press release received here on Sunday.

The minister said people still need to apply health protocols in their daily lives to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, by always wearing face masks, washing hands and avoiding crowds.

The minister said the government continues to monitor and evaluate the implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) and other measures to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, while paying homage to Bung Karno's grave in Blitar City of East Java, the former minister of Education and Culture monitored the distribution of social assistance to the local community.

"Make sure that the distribution of social assistance is carried out properly and on target. Make sure the targeted people can get the assistance," he said.

He admitted there were still problems in the process of distributing the social assistance, especially regarding the management of the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS).

Effendy said the government had strengthened the social safety net to help the community in dealing with the pandemic, starting from Family Hope Program (PKH) and basic food cards which were given regularly. Then, during the pandemic, the government also provided Cash Social Assistance (BST) and Village Fund Direct Cash Assistance (BLT DD).

"If the assistance is not sufficient, people in urban areas who have not received assistance can obtain assistance from the local government. If the assistance is still not sufficient, each local government has been instructed to allocate a budget from Regional Budget for the social assistance, plus assistance from the military or police," he said.

Minister Effendy also visited Mardiwaluyo Blitar Regional General Hospital and an Isolation House in Blitar City which accommodated COVID-19 patients with mild and moderate symptoms.

In addition, on the sidelines of his trip, the minister also distributed face masks and basic necessities to the community.
Baca juga: Public awareness increasingly stronger during COVID-19 pandemic: President Jokowi
Baca juga: After months of forcing COVID-19 pandemic, what's on the road ahead for tourism?