Cases Continue To Soar, The Riau Islands COVID-19 Task Force Asks Ship Operators To Reject Passengers Who Don't Use Masks

The Baruna ship on the Tanjungpinang-Batam route and vice versa, is parked at Sri Bintan Pura Tanjungpinang Port, Riau Islands. (HOTO BETWEEN)

TANJUNGPINANG - The Riau Islands Province COVID-19 Handling Task Force (Kepri) asked commercial ship operators to reject passengers who do not wear masks to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The Daily Head of the Riau Islands COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Adi Prihantara, said that the high mobility of the population between islands must be accompanied by discipline in wearing masks, especially recently Omicron XBB and its derivatives entering Batam. "We ask crew members not to accept passengers who do not wear masks because they have the potential to contract COVID-19 or transmit the virus," he said in Tanjungpinang, quoted from Antara, Monday, November 21. The Riau Islands Regional Secretary said that many passengers did not wear masks while on board. There are even parents who bring their children not wearing masks. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. "Of course, conditions like this cannot be tolerated," he said. He stated that the crew had a strategic role in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. They also have the potential to contract COVID-19 if there are passengers who do not wear masks. "The management of ship management companies can reshape a task force like 2021 to ensure crew and ship passengers use masks," he said. The number of active cases of COVID-19, he said, could suppress the lifting of active cases of COVID-19, which in the last four weeks has increased. The number of active cases in Riau Islands reached 177 people, an increase of eight people. The most active cases in Riau Islands are Batam 111 people, Tanjungpinang 17 people, Bintan Regency 31 people, Karimun Regency 16 people, Lingga Regency one person and Natuna Regency one person. "We must agree to protect ourselves and our families from COVID-19 in an easy way, use masks when doing activities and support the vaccination program," said Adi Prihantara. Spokesperson for the Riau Islands COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. Tjetjep Yudiana, said the port management must also ensure that all employees and passengers implement health procedures. Port managers are also required to prepare clean water and soap facilities and infrastructure for ship employees and passengers. "We still find port employees and passengers in the waiting room who do not wear masks," he said. The former Head of the Riau Islands Health Service also reminded residents not to eat food on ships that make short voyages. "Don't remove the mask while on the ship," said Tjetjep Yudiana.