JAKARTA - The government is in the spotlight because of their statements that do not match the facts on the ground regarding the location of quarantine for Indonesians who have been repatriated from the city of Wuhan, China due to the corona virus. A total of 238 Indonesian citizens were quarantined at the hangar at Raden Sadjad Air Base, Natuna.
Chairman of the Natuna Regency DPRD Andes Putra told DPR RI members that the quarantine location is not six kilometers, as stated by the central government. According to Andes, the distance between the quarantine location at Raden Sadjad Air Base and residential areas is only around 1.5 kilometers to two kilometers. The difference in distance is what makes Natuna residents panic.
"The distance from the hangar to the community settlement from the hangar to Penangi (Natuna area) is only 1.2 kilometers. From my office it is only 1.4 or 1.7 kilometers. Some have stated that the safe distance is two to three kilometers. , so we are restless, it is under two kilometers. That is what makes us nervous and anxious, "said Andes at the parliament complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 4.
Andes' statement was also confirmed by two residents of Natuna Regency who were interviewed by VOI. According to Syarifiza, the hangar is close to the Old City of Collectors.
"The distance from the hangar is less than two kilometers. ... The TNI complex is also there and very close to the hangar. The apparatus also has families, is that not what the residents mean? Even though they are human too," said Syarifiza when we contacted him via telephone connection a while ago.
In line with Syarifiza, Yepi, a resident of Ranai City, Natuna also conveyed that the distance between the hangar and his residence was not far. He estimates that the distance is only 1.5 kilometers from residential areas.
To us, Syarifiza and Yepi said they were afraid of the quarantine. Moreover, from the information circulating so far, the corona virus has an incubation period of 14 days. So, they are worried that Natuna residents will be exposed to the corona virus but have not shown any symptoms. Moreover, the presence of medical personnel there is deemed inadequate.
"There are very few medical personnel here. Not to deal with corona virus patients. We are here if the term is bad enough, we are immediately referred to Batam or to Jakarta. ... Especially if it is added to a case that is feared by the world, why should it be put in a small island like this, "said Syarifiza.
Inconsistent statements
The government seems to have forgotten their own statement about safe distances. Previously, TNI Commander Hadi Tjahjanto said the safe distance to the quarantine location was in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) procedures, which was five kilometers from residential areas. He said that just before the team to pick up Indonesian citizens left for China on Saturday, February 1.
"The distance from the hangar itself to the location of the residents is more or less between five to six kilometers. Then to the SP there is a dock that is also approximately five kilometers," said Hadi.
"So that the results of the assessment meet the requirements of the health protocol," he added.
Then, a few days after Hadi gave his statement, Menkopolhukam Mahfud MD did not confirm the distance between the quarantine location and residential areas.
"Oh, how come they keep on continuing," he said at his office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, February 5.
The Natuna residents took action against the quarantined citizen. They do not reject the presence of fellow citizens, but they are worried after finding out that Raden Sadjad Air Base is the location of the quarantine.
Prior to this quarantine period, Natuna residents also did not get any socialization from the local government. They also feel that the central government has not been involved in making decisions.
After this rejection, Menkopolhukam Mahfud MD together with several other ministers such as Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto along with regional authorities such as the Regent and Deputy Regent of Natuna and the Natuna DPRD gathered to hold a meeting.
After the meeting, Minister of Health Terawan stated that the polemic of the quarantine location in the Natuna area had indeed occurred because of a misunderstanding. Meanwhile, Natuna Regent Abdul Hamid Rizal confirmed that the quarantine location was only about two kilometers from residential areas.
However, after the meeting he was sure that there would be no spread of the corona virus in the Natuna region, on the grounds that Raden Sadjad Air Base was a military area not open to the public.
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