The Dilemma Of Residents' Rejection About The Corona Virus Observation Area In Natuna

The process of returning Indonesian citizens from Wuhan, China (Instagram @pkk_kemkes)

JAKARTA - A number of Natuna residents held a protest action related to the placement of hundreds of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who returned from Wuhan, China. The rejection was based on their reluctance if the corona virus would also emerge in their territory.

The demonstrators also burned tires near the Raden Sadjad Air Base, which was the observation location for 283 Indonesian citizens returning from Wuhan, China.

Head of Riau Islands Regional Police Public Relations Commissioner Harry Goldenhardt confirmed the case of the refusal. Currently, the National Police together with the TNI are still on guard in the area.

"There is a delivery of aspirations (the location for the observation of the corona virus) and a dialogue is currently being held with the community there," said Harry when contacted by VOI, Sunday, February 2.

Based on the information received, the refusal actions that were carried out ranged from oration to burning tires. Even so, this condition is still considered conducive because it can be immediately mitigated and does not create sustainable chaos.

In a dialogue between the TNI-Polri and the demonstration masses or the Natuna community, it was said, to ensure that the observation location remained safe and most importantly the question of ensuring the Corona virus would not spread to the surrounding area.

In addition, it also explains the distance that is quite far from the observation location with a residential area of approximately 6 km. Then, there is a pier which is also approximately 5 km away. Thus, the masses were asked not to worry.

"The location that is used as a place of observation is a military base, and its position is also very far from residential areas, the closest is about 6 kilometers," said Harry.

Furthermore, in securing the evacuation of hundreds of Indonesian citizens, the National Police deployed 227 personnel. In addition, the Riau Islands Regional Police also sent 3 paramedics and 2 doctors to examine the hundreds of people.

"About 110 Polres personnel, and this morning from us, from the Regional Police have dispatched 117 Brimob personnel to Natuna," said Harry.

For your information, around 283 Indonesian citizens who had settled in Wuhan, China, have been evacuated and arrived at Hang Nadiem Airport, Batam, Sunday, February 2. Then, they will fly back to Raden Sadjad Air Base in Natuna.

Later, the hundreds of people will undergo a series of medical examinations related to the spread of the Corona virus for approximately two weeks.

Minister of Health based in Natuna

Minister of Health (Menkes) Terawan Agus Putranto and his team will temporarily be based in Natuna. They will supervise the observation process for Indonesian citizens returning from Wuhan, China, a city that is currently exposed to the corona virus.

"The Minister of Health and the team will be based in Natuna for the time being," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Later, Indonesian citizens who are now at Raden Sadjad Air Base will be observed for 14 days. This procedure is carried out according to health protocols based on the rules set by the World Health Organization (WHO) during quarantine in Natuna, Riau Islands.

For 14 days, Indonesian citizens at the observation site will carry out their usual activities, such as sports, eating healthy food three times a day and attending religious lectures. Likewise, their health condition will continue to be monitored.

Presidential spokesman, Fadjroel Rachman, said that the government had carried out all humanitarian evacuation and transit observation processes based on Presidential Instruction No. 4 of 2019. The Presidential Instruction was related to increasing the ability to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks, global pandem, and nuclear, biological, and nuclear emergencies. and chemistry.

The implementation is under the coordination of two coordinating ministers, namely the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD and the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy.

The government, said Fadjroel, hopes that all parties respect the authority of the relevant ministries and institutions in accordance with the Inpres to carry out their obligations. "So that Indonesian citizens who are evacuated from Hubei Province and all people in Indonesia get optimal protection and health services according to procedures," he said as quoted by Antara.