JAKARTA (UCAN): Schools and universities in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and in many provinces across the country have been closed for at least the next two weeks following a spike in the number of people infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). One of the newly confirmed cases was Transport minister, Budi Karya Sumadi, who is being treated at Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital in Jakarta.
Joko Widodo, the country’s president, issued the closure order on March 15 and instructed local governments to increase efforts to try and stem the spread of the virus. He also called on public servants to work from home.
“I ask all governors, regents and mayors to continue to monitor their areas closely, and consult with medical experts in examining each situation,” Widodo said. “It’s time we work from home, learn from home, worship at home.”
Widodo has instructed 12 other cabinet ministers, known to have been in close contact with Sumadi, to undergo medical tests.
Several governors, including those from Jakarta, West Java and Central Java, have instructed some schools to adopt distance learning for the time being.
Jakarta governor, Anies Rasyied Baswedan, was the first to close all schools to limit “population mobility” to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Baswedan also called on informal learning institutions, such as training and tutoring centres, to suspend classes and move to distance learning.
Franciscan Father Vinsensius Darmin Mbula, chairman of the National Council of Catholic Education, said he had asked Catholic schools to follow the government’s directive.
“It’s very important for schools in cities to follow the directive, while schools in remote areas are urged to remain vigilant,” he said, adding, “Allowing children to learn from home is an opportunity to establish close cooperation between schools and parents.”
Roy Santoso Yusuf, chairperson of the Permata Bunda Foundation, which oversees several schools in Depok and Bogor in West Java, said that preparations to establish online classes began last week. “We are looking to begin online lessons on March 17,” he said.
Similar arrangements were being adopted by universities, including Atma Jaya Catholic University in Jakarta and the University of Indonesia. Online lectures began on March 16 and midterm exams scheduled for March 23 to April 3 were replaced by home-based tests.
Churches in Jakarta were still conducting Masses on March 15 but attendance was low. Many churches, including St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Jakarta, were sprayed with disinfectant on March 14.
As of March 17, Covid-19 cases in Indonesia had reached 134, a jump of 104 since March 13, with five deaths. Worldwide, 79,617 people have recovered.
