JAKARTA: Indonesia confirmed 114 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,528, a health ministry official said on Tuesday (March 31).



Another 14 people had died, taking the total to 136, the official, Achmad Yurianto, reported.



Following the situation, 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.



Earlier in the morning, Indonesia's foreign minister said the government would ban all arrivals and transit by foreigners in indonesia as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths rise.



This comes a day after indonesian President Joko Widodo said that he planned stricter rules on mobility and social distancing after a report showed more than 140,000 people in the South-East Asian country could die in the pandemic. - Reuters

Article type: metered User Type: anonymous web User Status: Campaign ID: 1 Cxense type: free User access status: 3