As I stated last week, the people of West Papua face a new double crisis: a humanitarian crisis caused by Indonesian military operations, and a medical crisis caused by coronavirus. Indonesian colonialism, which has destroyed our way of life and left us without healthcare or the natural support of our environment, has increased the risks of coronavirus to my people.

Jakarta – Consumer-facing companies are helping to create nationwide awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic by launching public information campaigns.

Technology companies such as Gojek have put up banners on their apps informing users about precautionary measures to educate customers and encourage the public to remain calm.

Riska Rahman and Made Anthony Iswara, Jakarta – Major business players are split over the idea of a lockdown to slow the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, they seem to support President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's push to limit face-to-face interactions by having people work, study and worship from home.

Ghina Ghaliya, Jakarta – The Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has recommended that the General Elections Commission (KPU) prepare for delays to the 2020 regional elections in areas where people have tested positive for COVID-19.

Ganug Nugroho Adi and Fadli, Surakarta – Despite the country having two months to prepare for the arrival of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Indonesian people say they have limited knowledge about the virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, and what little they know they have learned from the media or social media, not from any government institutions.

Ade Mardiyati – Two years after they met at a university event outside Jakarta, Indah Welasasih and Muhamad Yoesoef decided to get married. Despite an age gap of 16 years, the Indonesian couple felt they had a deep connection and they were comfortable with one another.

Jakarta – Indonesia's currency has been in a freefall, even defying the central bank's intense market intervention. The decline may now gather further pace as demand for US dollars climb from companies set to repatriate dividends.

Beritasatu, Jakarta – Indonesia has reported a steep jump in the number of deaths from Covid-19 in its territory as the most populous country in Southeast Asia veered toward a worst-case scenario in the pandemic.

Ivany Atina Arbi, Jakarta – Bahteramas Regional General Hospital, the only referral center for COVID-19 patients in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, reportedly ran out of surgical masks on Wednesday, resulting in the postponement of several elective surgeries.

Ghina Ghaliya, Jakarta – The police's response to a video of 49 Chinese workers arriving in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, despite the government's travel ban to and from China in an effort to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading, has been condemned.

Jakarta – Human rights activists have urged the government to learn from the Dutch king by, among other measures, admitting past human rights violations, apologizing to the families of victims and working to resolve cases through judicial and nonjudicial measures.

Jakarta – The National Police's food stability task force has enforced a limit on the amount of staple foods available for purchase in a bid to ensure availability in the long term amid panic buying prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ardila Syakriah, Jakarta – When President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo made a televised appeal for Indonesians to work from home on Sunday as part of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment efforts, 40-year-old Asri knew the message was not for her.

Rather, it might even mean longer working hours for her and millions of fellow domestic workers across the country.

Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's plea for workers, students and worshipers to stay home in order to prevent the spread of the corona virus (Covid-19) can't be followed by all workers. There are groups who have to continue working outside the home in order to keep kitchens fires burning despite the risk of the fatal disease.

Ilyas Istianur Praditya, Jakarta – The Indonesian Trade Union Council (MPBI) has confirmed it will postpone mass actions against the Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation.

Jakarta – The Confederation of United Indonesian Workers (KPBI) is urging the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government to halt deliberations on Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation given the corona virus pandemic (Covid-19). If the deliberations go ahead it will be the same as provoking people take to the streets to oppose it.

An academic from West Papua says Indonesian plans to further divide up the region will only enhance dependency on Jakarta.

Indonesia's chief security minister Mohammad Mahfud said the govenment was considering options for creating more provinces in Papua region, which is currently administered as two provinces.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Food delivery service GrabFood has launched a new "non-contact" delivery system to follow government advice on social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

On Monday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urged Indonesians to observe social distancing by staying at home as much as possible.

N. Adri, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan – The nonprofit Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) has closed down several facilities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

BOSF chief executive officer Jamartin Sihite said he had yet to learn how the virus would affect orangutans.

M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab temporarily halted weekly and monthly general events usually held at its headquarters in Petamburan, Central Jakarta and Megamendung, Bogor Regency. The decision was made as an effort to prevent the coronavirus infection or known as COVID-19 from further spreading in Indonesia.

Antara, Jakarta – Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque management announced today, March 18, that it planned to hold the mass Friday prayer based on the Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) decision amid the coronavirus outbreak happening in the country.

Jakarta – President Joko Widodo's administration could be accused of violating the Constitution if it does not immediately improve its strategy to deal with the spread of Covid-19.

Human development index figures are improving in Papuan provinces of Indonesia. Latest figures from Indonesia's national statistics agency show human development progress in both Papua and West Papua provinces.

Timika, Indonesia – Four Papuan independence fighters were killed in an ongoing clash between security forces and a rebel group near the world's largest gold mine in Indonesia's easternmost Papua region, police and rebels said Monday.

Ben Bland – As he rose rapidly from furniture businessman to mayor of Solo and governor of Jakarta to president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo stuck to the same approach to politics: build things, cut some red tape, improve access to basic services (though not necessarily their quality), and lean on civil servants to be more efficient.

Norman Harsono, Jakarta – The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry is proposing the inclusion of power companies onto a list of industries eligible for cheap natural gas.

Fathul Rakhman, Lombok, Indonesia – Environmental activists have called on authorities in Indonesia's Lombok Island to drop plans for a cable car project serving a UNESCO-listed national park.

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Jakarta – The coronavirus in Indonesia has so far affected the middle class and up – people who returned from overseas trips, had exposure to infected foreigners, or are in the close circle of those infected.

Jeffrey Hutton, Jakarta – On any other Monday, Mr Ranggi Hardiyanto, 25, would have already sold at least a couple pairs of sneakers. But he and an assistant at an athletic shoe store at the Ambassador Mall in downtown Jakarta are standing at the till watching what few shoppers there are pass by.

V Arianti and Muh Taufiqurrohman – The Indonesian government has arrested more than 1100 suspected terrorists since 2015, with still more killed in counter-terrorism operations or during attacks.

Len Garae – In the latest emergency joint meeting organised by the Executive Committees of United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) and Vanuatu West Papua Association and Unification Committee (VWPAUC) at the Presbyterian Church Conference Hall in Port Vila last Saturday, members of both organisations have emphasised the importance of intense lobbying with member countries

Adrian Wail Akhlas, Jakarta – Indonesian stocks hit circuit breakers for the third time in the past week on Tuesday, touching levels unseen since 2015 as the rupiah surpassed the psychological threshold of Rp 15,000 to the United States dollar in the ongoing coronavirus-driven global market rout.

Riza Roidila Mufti, Jakarta – The government has finally called for the suspension of meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) activities, after previously trying to promote a tourist sector severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jakarta – Jakarta's office market is predicted to continue its declining trend as multinational companies remain cautious about expansion amid the growing uncertainties surrounding the country's economy, property consulting company Knight Frank Indonesia has said

Jakarta – A coalition of civil society organizations has urged President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to dismiss Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto from his position due to an "absence of sensitive, responsive and effective leadership" in handing the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Made Anthony Iswara, Jakarta – The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) will temporarily close its One-Stop Integrated Service (PTSP) licensing outlets to minimize the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

BKPM head Bahlil Lahadalia explained that the agency would suspend its face-to-face services from March 17 until March 31.

Jakarta – Floodwaters filled parts of Jakarta following heavy rain on Monday and submerged two subdistricts in East Jakarta, namely Cipinang Melayu in Makassar district and Tengah in Kramat Jati district.

Arya Dipa, Bandung – The West Java Health Agency said it only discovered later that a patient who died while being treated in a hospital in Cianjur had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Norman Harsono, Jakarta – Indonesia has revoked the price floor for unsubsidized gasoline and diesel as the government expects falling global oil prices to push down retail costs, but distributors look less likely to drastically cut prices with some already providing discounts.

Jakarta – A member of Indonesian Young Scientists Forum (IYSF) has lauded President Joko "Jokowi" Wibowo for imposing a social distancing policy to stem the spread of COVID-19, but has urged the government to take a stricter stance by canceling mudik (exodus) this year.

Riza Roidila Mufti and Sausan Atika, Jakarta – Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is calling on public transportation providers to not reduce the frequency and capacity of their services despite the government's appeal for people to work and study at home.

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued a fatwa on compulsory Muslim prayers specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MUI Fatwa Council chair Hasanuddin said in a written statement on Monday that Muslims in areas where COVID-19 had spread "uncontrollably" were "not permitted to perform Friday prayers in those areas until the situation returns to normal".

Jakarta – Following announcements by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan regarding the need for a city-wide lockdown of the capital to curb the spread of COVID-19, retailers fear the move would cripple Jakarta's economy.

Indonesian Shopping Center Tenant Association (Hippindo) chairman Budihardjo Iduansjah said the association hoped the capital city wouldn't be locked down.

Jakarta – The Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry has allowed civil servants to work from home for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in state offices. The new working arrangement is stipulated in a circular signed by Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Tjahjo Kumolo.

Diana Mariska, Jakarta – When the Health Minister said Indonesia was prepared to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, did he mean everyone?

On Saturday, State Secretary Minister Pratikno confirmed that Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi tested positive for Covid-19. He now remains under intensive care at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital.

Tara Marchelin, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said on Monday the city's bus network TransJakarta, the Jakarta Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains and the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) underground and overground trains will operate normally again starting Tuesday.

Jakarta – A coalition of civil society organizations has called on the government to better explain its social distancing recommendation to clear up confusion among the public over how to handle the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Jakarta – Regions across the country have postponed the national exam and ordered students to study from home amid the government's call for people to practice social distancing in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The temporary suspension, which includes exemption for short-stay visits, visa-on-

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ulema Council has urged the government to map coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) prone areas following its issuance of a fatwa that advises Muslims to avoid praying in congregations, including for Friday prayers.