The Journey Of COVID-19 In Indonesia, Masks And Hand Sanitizers Had Become Luxury Items

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - It has been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic has occurred in the country, starting from March 2. Many things happened at that time, including the scarcity of masks and hand sanitizers, which, if any, would be sold multiple times.

COVID-19 was detected on March 2, 2020. Initially, three people in a family in Depok, West Java tested positive for the virus originating from Wuhan City, China, namely Sita Tyasutami or what is called patient 01, Maria Darmaningsih as patient 02, and Ratri Anindyajati as patient 03.

Sita was exposed after having had close contact with Japanese citizens living in Malaysia at an event.

Since then, COVID-19 has been declared as entering Indonesia. From previously infecting only three people, now it's been a year, the virus has infected 1,3341,314 people with 153,074 active cases as per data on Monday, March 1 yesterday.

Masks and hand sanitizers became luxury items at the start of the pandemic

After President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) accompanied by former Health Minister (Menkes) Terawan Agus Putranto stated that COVID-19 had entered Indonesia, this news suddenly panicked the public, and ended up buying masks and hand sanitizers in unreasonable quantities.

These masks and hand sanitizers are stockpiled and sold again at prices far above average. So, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were traders selling masks and hand sanitizers up to hundreds of thousands of rupiah on e-Commerce sites.

At that time, Secretary-General of the Pramuka Market Traders Association, Yoyon, said that the presence of masks was running low in the Pramuka Market, East Jakarta because it was rare for sales to deliver masks, especially those of the N95 type.

"From sales, they don't get it, they supply it to the Pramuka Market. So between stores are looking for it. Officially, it can be said that there is no longer (supply)", he said at that time.

He also explained that several shops no longer sell masks with the N95 type. Even if someone sells it, the price is drastically more expensive than the previous price.

Before the spread of the coronavirus, masks were sold for IDR 200 thousand per box with the contents of 20 pieces, but after there was information that Indonesian citizens had been exposed to COVID, one box of N95 masks could be sold for up to IDR 1.3 million.

Even though the price is soaring because it is scarce, many people do not care about prices, especially Chinese citizens living in Indonesia. They are looking for masks to send to their families in China.

At that time, Yoyon advised the government to pay attention to the availability of masks in Indonesia before assisting to export masks to China. "What a pity we are, (the state, red) for the outside we are assisting with that while the prices here have skyrocketed because of the scarcity of masks", said Yoyon.

Such conditions have prompted the DKI Government and the ranks of Regional Police Metro Jaya to form an integrated team to inspect to check the price of masks to markets.

"For example, we will visit the Pramuka Market which sells medical equipment", said Head of the Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (PPKUKM) Office of DKI Elizabeth Ratu Rante Allo.

"Because if a box of masks costs one million rupiahs, that's not normal", she added.

Steps to dispel mask hoarders

In March 2020, when masks were expensive, the police took anticipatory steps, including monitoring all the activities of buying and selling masks or making them.

Head of Public Relations of Regional Police Metro Jaya Yusri Yunus said at that time, monitoring of the distribution of masks would be carried out either directly or indirectly. This means that the process of buying and selling medical devices conventionally and online will continue to be monitored to maintain price stability.

"We will monitor everything. We have cyber patrols, we will monitor everything, including where they can commit this crime, whether it is hoarding or making it illegally", said Yusri in Jakarta, Monday, March 2, 2020.

While waiting for indications of mask hoarding, the National Police will focus on advising conventional mask sellers not to commit acts that violate the crime.

The National Police will ensnare the perpetrators under Article 107 of Law Number 7 of 2014 concerning Trafficking with the threat of 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 50 billion.

This article regulates the prohibition for business actors to store basic needs or essential goods in a certain amount and time when goods are scarce, price fluctuations, or traffic obstacles to trade in goods.

"Most importantly, in a preventive manner, we appeal to these actors that it should not be. Our people need these masks. Don't take advantage of yourself and continue to harm the community", said Yusri at that time.

After some time, masks and hand sanitizers were easy to find again. If previously in e-commerce a box of masks containing 50 pcs could be sold for IDR 500 thousand or more, now the price is around IDR 20 thousand-30 thousand. Not only that, but masks are also starting to be sold in units at minimarkets for IDR 1,500. Meanwhile, hand sanitizers can be found in convenience stores with prices ranging from IDR 11 thousand to IDR 20 thousand depending on the brand and size.