COVID-19 Task Force: Avoid Flood Evacuation If Not Forced

Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Widu Adisasmito (Photo: doc BNPB)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 Handling Task Force asks the public to be aware of disasters that occur during the rainy season, such as flash floods, landslides, and tornadoes.

The risk of this disaster, said Wiku Adisasmito, spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force, is also predicted to increase due to the La Nina phenomenon, which causes rainfall to increase by up to 40 percent.

Thus, disaster mitigation must be carried out by the central government, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as it is today. Including, preparing a place of refuge away from the potential for transmission of this virus.

"The Task Force hopes that the refugee camps can be well engineered so that they are always in a proper and clean condition so as to reduce the potential for transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases," Wiku said in an online press conference, Thursday, October 15.

In addition, the task force also asked local governments to carry out strict monitoring, even if necessary, to carry out testing and tracking to prevent the occurrence of displacement clusters.

Meanwhile, for the community, he asked that they do not need to live in refugee camps if they are not needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"If possible, avoid the refugee camps in tents if you don't have to. In addition, use the closest lodging as a refugee camp," he said.

For the refugees, Wiku then asked them to adhere to health protocols. In addition, there are a number of items that must be prepared, such as spare masks, hand sanitizers, and personal cutlery.

"Remember, the health protocol is an important step to protect ourselves and those closest to us from COVID-19," he concluded.