Yogyakarta Has Not Prioritized Criminal Sanctions For Violations Of Health Protocols

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta City Government continues to emphasize providing education and increasing awareness of health protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and has not prioritized the imposition of sanctions that lead to crime.

"Until now, what we are doing is still focusing on education so that people continue to follow the health protocols. If there are violations, we will issue a warning," said Head of the Yogyakarta City Civil Service Unit (Satpol PP), Agus Winarto, quoted by Antara, Thursday, March 17.

Violations of health protocols that are still frequently encountered include not wearing a mask or not wearing a mask properly.

According to him, Yogyakarta City Satpol PP officers who carry out patrols are always equipped with masks that will be given to the public or tourists who are found not wearing masks.

"By conducting continuous education and appeals, it is hoped that public awareness will be awakened to always carry out health protocols," he said.

In addition, Agus asked business actors to immediately equip their place of business with the PeduliLindung QR Code. "There are still many franchised minimarkets that don't have them. The reason is because all licensing is done from the center," he said.

The Mayor of Yogyakarta, Haryadi Suyuti, conveyed the same thing, who said that he continued to build public awareness to always be disciplined in wearing masks.

"The imposition of sanctions is intended to build awareness. But the most severe sanctions that people must realize when they do not apply health protocols are the potential for contracting and transmitting diseases. That must be understood," said Haryadi.

One of the basic health protocols that must be carried out during a pandemic is the discipline of wearing masks. "This mask has become an identity. It is quite easy to remind the public because it is clear that they are not wearing a mask," he said.

Therefore, continued Haryadi, enforcement of the implementation of health protocols in the community should no longer be accompanied by threats of sanctions that lead to criminal acts but are directed at efforts to build public awareness.

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) government has Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2022 concerning COVID-19 Management, which regulates sanctions for violators of health protocols. Sanctions are arranged in two stages.

The first sanctions that can be given are verbal warnings, administrative fines, or social work. If the violator has violated it for the second time, it will be immediately prosecuted. These sanctions apply to residents of DIY and outside DIY.