Indonesia to boost social, health spending amid virus battle

JAKARTA: Indonesia will increase social assistance and healthcare spending in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases and to soften the economic blow of tougher restrictions taking effect this week, its finance minister said on Friday.

Battling one of the Asia's worst coronavirus outbreaks, the world's fourth most populous country has seen record new infections on eight of the past 12 days, including 25,830 on Friday, and a record 539 deaths. "Emergency" curbs will be imposed from Saturday, including tighter restrictions on movement and air travel, a ban on restaurant dining and the closure of non-essential offices.