The Japanese government will support special flights for citizens wishing to return home from Indonesia, where infections are surging, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato tells reporters.

There were about 50 Japanese expats who left Indonesia by a chartered airline. 

"From the viewpoint of protecting Japanese nationals, we have decided to take measures ... so that Japanese people who wish to return can return to Japan as soon as possible, and as many people as possible," he said.

Kato said some Japanese residents of Indonesia are set to fly home on Wednesday on a special flight arranged by a Japanese carrier, backed by the government. "After that, we plan to make similar efforts in response to requests from Japanese residents," he added.

Indonesia registered 47,899 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, a daily record. It also reported 864 new deaths. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia's health minister, said at a parliamentary hearing before the number was announced that cases were expected to "spike" today due to increased testing, according to Asia Nikkei. 

Japan supports Indonesia 

Japan has been showing its support to Indonesia during this COVID-19 pandemic. Japan has been sending 1.16 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Indonesia that is expected to arrive on (15/7). Previously, the Japanese government had sent 998,400 doses of vaccine to Indonesia in the first batch of shipments on July 1.

Thus, the total number of vaccines donated by Japan to Indonesia is 2,158,400 doses of AstraZeneca injections.

Paid vaccines at Kimia Farma are delayed

Indonesia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma is delaying a plan to sell Covid-19 vaccines after a public backlash against the move. The company said that the delay was carried out until further notice while socializing paid vaccines and arranging for the registration of prospective vaccination participants.

Stay safe and healthy 

However, for precaution, you could take care of your health. These are the tips from UNICEF. 

1. Keep up fruit and vegetable intake

Purchasing, storing, and cooking fresh vegetables can be challenging in a lockdown, especially when parents are advised to limit trips outside of the home. But wherever possible, it’s important to ensure children are still getting plenty of fruit and vegetables in their diet.

Whenever it is possible to get hold of fresh produce, do so. As well as being eaten fresh, fruits and vegetables can be frozen where possible and will retain most of their nutrients and flavor. Using fresh vegetables to cook large batches of soups, stews, or other dishes will make them last longer and provide meal options for a few days. These can also be frozen where possible and then quickly reheated.

2. Swap in healthy dried or canned alternatives when fresh produce is not available

Fresh produce is almost always the best option, but there are plenty of healthy alternatives that are easy to store and prepare when the fresh produce is not available.

Canned beans and chickpeas, which provide an abundance of nutrients, can be stored for months or even years, and can be included in meals in many ways. Canned oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, and salmon are rich in protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and a range of vitamins and minerals. These can be used cold in sandwiches, salads or pasta dishes, or cooked as a warm meal.

Canned vegetables, such as tomatoes, tend to contain lower quantities of vitamins than fresh produce, but they are a great fallback option when fresh produce or frozen vegetables are hard to come by. 

Dried goods like dried beans, pulses, and grains such as lentils, split peas, rice, couscous, or quinoa are also nutritious, long-lasting options that are tasty, affordable and filling. Rolled oats cooked with milk or water can serve as an excellent breakfast option, and can be spiced up with yoghurt, chopped fruits, or raisins. 

3. Build up a stock of healthy snacks

Children often need to eat a snack or two during the day to keep themselves going. Rather than giving kids sweets or salty snacks, opt for healthier options like nuts, cheese, yoghurt (preferably unsweetened), chopped or dried fruits, boiled eggs, or other locally available healthy options. These foods are nutritious, more filling, and help build healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. 

4. Limit highly processed foods 

While using fresh produce may not always be possible, try to limit the amount of highly processed foods in your shopping basket. Ready-to-eat meals, packaged snacks, and desserts are often high in saturated fat, sugars, and salt. If you purchase processed foods, look at the label and choose healthier options containing less of these substances. Try to also avoid sugary drinks and instead drink lots of water. Adding fruits or vegetables like lemon, lime, cucumber slices, or berries to water is a great way to add an extra twist of flavor.