
If you follow Indonesian news on Covid-19 you may run into some new and unfamiliar terms. Can’t tell apart your ODP from PSBB? No worries, here we explain some Indonesian Covid-19 terms and jargon.
Contents:
Medical Indonesian Covid-19 Terms
APD
Alat Pelindung Diri (APD) – Personal Protective Equipment. Protective medical supplies, currently in short supply around the world. For example masks, gloves, goggles and hazmat suits.
ISPA
Infeksi Saluran Pernapasan Akut (ISPA) – Acute Respiratory Tract Infection. One of the conditions caused by Covid-19. In this case, symptoms include dry cough, fever and difficulty breathing.
PDP
Pasien Dalam Pengawasan (PDP) – Patient Under Supervision. Someone who has Covid-19 symptoms, and in the last 14 days had:
1. Had had close contact with a Covid-19 positive patient. Or,
2. Has travel history to a Covid-19 affected area.
ODP
Orang Dalam Pemantauan (ODP) – Person Under Observation. Someone who has no symptoms, but in the last 14 days:
1. Has had contact with Covid-19 positive patient. Or,
2. Has travel history to Covid-19 areas.
OTG
Orang Tanpa Gejala (OTG) – Person without symptoms. A person with Covid-19 but does not show any symptoms. They can still transmit the disease.

Government Bodies and Policies
BNPB
Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) – National Disaster Management Authority. Although it normally deals with natural disasters, this agency was still chosen to lead Indonesia’s Covid-19 response.
BPJS Kesehatan
Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) Kesehatan – Social Health Insurance Administration Organization. The body that manages the Indonesian national health insurance. Sometimes confused for the national health insurance, even though the official name of the insurance is JKN. In order to learn more, you can read our article on BPJS Kesehatan.
Gugus Tugas Percepatan Penanganan Covid-19
Task Force for Accelerated Handling of Covid-19. A group formed to coordinate between government agencies in handling the pandemic. Headed by the BNPB and reports directly to the president. Similar regional task forces are also part of the national task force. More info on their website.
Ijin Tinggal Keadaan Terpaksa
Emergency Stay Permit. A stay permit currently given to all foreigners stuck in Indonesia due to Covid-19. It is given automatically. Therefore there is no need to apply in person. Check out our article on Indonesia’s Immigration Policy during the COVID-19 for more.
Karantina Wilayah
Regional quarantine or lock-down. In Indonesia Law no 6, 2018 regulates quarantine. Generally, it limits travel within a region or between regions. It is more strict than PSBB (see below). Further, it also requires the government to ensure the needs of citizens, such as food, during its effect. For this reason, the government has seen this as difficult to implement.
PSBB
Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar (PSBB) – Large Scale Social Distancing. Formal, regional, social distancing efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19. Minister of Health Decree No 9, 2020 regulates PSBB. Generally, things that may be limited are schools, work places, places of worship, etc.

Kartu Prakerja
Pre-Employment Card. A government assistance program originally for recent graduates, or those seeking skill improvement. However, now it includes those affected by Covid-19, including small and micro businesses.
Diseases and Symptoms
Batuk Gatal / Kering
Itchy Cough / Dry Cough. One of the main symptoms of Covid-19.
Penyakit Corona
The more common term used in Indonesia for Covid-19.
Penyakit Darah Tinggi
The Indonesian name for hypertension or high blood pressure. Literally translated it means “high blood disease”. Some older Indonesian also use the Dutch “bloeddruk“, which just means blood pressure.
Penyakit Kencing Manis
Literally, “sweet urine disease”, the common Indonesian term for diabetes. Having diabetes makes Covid-19 more likely to be fatal. Also, Penyakit Kencing Gula (sugar urine disease).
Sesak Napas
Literally, tight breathing. It’s the term for difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath. Also a symptom of Covid-19
Other Indonesian Covid-19 Terms
Isolasi Mandiri
Self Isolation. The act of isolating oneself at home or other private facility. Especially in the context of preventing the spread of disease.
Mudik
The mass travel of people returning to their home villages for the Lebaran Holidays. In normal times, over 20 million people participate. Naturally, this causes great concern during a time of pandemic.
Check out our article on Lebaran Holidays, and considerations for your employees that are celebrating it.
Protokol Pemulasaran Jenazah
The protocol for handling the deceased. In this case, it refers to handling a body which may still be infectious. Most Indonesians are Muslims, and in Islam cremation is not allowed. Therefore, precautions must be taken for burial of Covid-19 patients and suspected persons.
Memutus Rantai Penyebaran
Breaking the Chain of Infection. Steps taken to stop the spread of an infection, such as hand washing, distancing, and so on.
Rumah Sakit Rujukan Covid-19
Referral Hospital for Covid-19. These are hospitals chosen to handle Covid-19 patients. Currently 130 are available and more are coming online. In order to find one near you, search for “Rumah Sakit Rujukan Covid-19” and your area/province as keywords.
Wisma Atlet
This is a former athletes village in Central Jakarta. Earlier, it was used for the 2018 Asian Games. It has since been converted into a Covid-19 only hospital. At first it will have a 3,000 patient capacity.
Questions/Comments/Discussion
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