PALANGKA RAYA – PROTOCOL AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION BUREAU. The Chairman of Central Kalimantan Task Force for Acceleration of Handling Covid-19, Leonard S. Ampung, representing Central Kalimantan Provincial Government urges people of Bumi Tambun Bungai to not panic in facing current Covid-19 problem.

“Do not panic. The Provincial Government of Central Kalimantan, Governor, and all of his ranks are currently working hard to break the chain of Covid-19 distribution in Central Kalimantan, doing the best we could such as funds, personnel, equipment, and we have even prepared options for the availability of food for the next 7 months. Trust us, the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government has been always working hard to prepare all of this for the safety and health of Central Kalimantan people,” said Leonard during a Press Release at the Media Center for Central Kalimantan Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling Covid-19, Central Kalimantan Governor’s Office, Palangka Raya, Thursday evening (2/4/2020).

He also stated, with the issuance of Government Regulation Number 21 of 2020 concerning The Large-Scale Social Restrictions for Handling Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Governor of Central Kalimantan has issued Governor Decree Number 188.44 / 94/2020 concerning The Limitation of People Coming from outside Central Kalimantan Province. This is in line with the previous Governor’s Letter regarding the control of Central Kalimantan’s border and coastal areas.

“Today, the Central Kalimantan Transportation Office has a meeting via video conference with Angkasa Pura II and airlines to ensure the determination and restriction of passengers from Covid-19 pandemic area, as well as how to technically dispatch cargo goods so that they do not accumulate in Jakarta. Angkasa Pura II has also proposed and requested approval to limit the working hours and flights that were previously from 05.00 am to 21.00 pm to 05.00 am to 16.00 pm,” explained Leonard.

He also added that today KSOP throughout Central Kalimantan area had sent a letter to the Ministry of Transportation to serve only logistics and medical delivery. “Regarding the imposition of a curfew in Palangka Raya which is fully regulated by Palangka Raya Mayor’s Letter with a note that it must ensure the streamlined delivery of logistics in Palangka Raya,” said Leonard.

The same thing was conveyed by Suyuti Syamsul as Deputy Chairman of Central Kalimantan Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling Covid-19, “There are a number of things requested by Governor of Central Kalimantan, including strict restrictions on access to Palangka Raya, setting up a social rescue network for people who affected by these tightening and limiting policies.”

In the press release, Leonard as the Chairman of Central Kalimantan Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling Covid-19 emphasized, “I want to urge to all levels of society in Central Kalimantan Province to not going back to hometown, let alone doing picnics or vacations, while maintaining social distancing and physical distancing and keeping healthy and clean behavior, wash your hands frequently with soap, and keep using masks, obey the ethics of coughing and sneezing by covering your nose and mouth, if you are feeling sick then immediately go to the health center or to the nearest doctor or hospital, and if it is not necessary, please don’t leave home.”

In addition, on the same occasion, the Head of Central Kalimantan Manpower and Transmigration Office, Syahril Tarigan mentioned that in terms of prevention in workers’ environments, there was Governor Instruction Number 188.5.54 / 23/2020 dated March 17, 2020 which contained that all companies were expected to remain produce as much as possible by avoiding layoffs or discharging workers; not bringing in new foreign workers or between new regions, maintaining existing workers until these conditions change; limiting as much as possible the movement of workers including elements of the leadership not to leave the area either in the context of leave or duties and also not receive guests if not forced once; and take preventative measures such as social distancing.

“The impact of Covid-19 is already felt in employment, there are some companies that are forced to reduce workers and even do layoffs. While there are 848 workers affected from 18 companies that have entered our data and we are still waiting for the data of workers who were laid off or discharged until April 4, 2020,” said Syahril.

He also stated that with the direction of the Governor of Central Kalimantan, these workers are planned to receive a Pre-Work Card. “Therefore, we ask all companies that carry out layoffs immediately report to the Provincial and Regency / City level of Manpower and Transmigration Office so that all affected employee data can benefit from the Pre-Work Card,” concluded Syahril. (renn/win/translated by feb)