Indonesia declares emergency over coronavirus, expands social welfare

A man wearing a face mask walks on a pedestrian bridge amid coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 31, 2020. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
By Reuters
Published: March 31, 2020 03:28 PM

JAKARTA, March 31: Indonesian President Joko Widodo declared a national public health emergency over the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday and announced measures to help people with lower incomes.

The measures included expanding social welfare, food assistance and giving electricity tariff discounts and waivers, he said.