Prognosis

Jokowi Orders Quick Covid Response on Indonesia’s Outer Islands

Health workers bury a Covid-19 victim in Palembang, south Sumatra on Aug. 5.Photographer: Sigit Prasetya/NurPhoto/Getty Images

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By Rieka Rahadiana and Arys Aditya

August 8, 2021 at 4:41 AM UTC

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered law enforcement and local officials on the nation’s outer islands to take immediate actions, including restrictions on movements and isolation for infected people, to stem an increase in Covid-19 cases.

As of Aug. 6, new infections in areas outside Java and Bali accounted for 54% of the nationwide total, up from 44% at the start of the month and 34% on July 25, according to a broadcast of a Saturday government cabinet meeting posted on YouTube.