Health Protocols not yet Concurrent

Name: Health Protocols not yet Concurrent
Uploaded: 2020-11-16T02:43:04Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: Residents and local administrations still have much work to do in instilling discipline in complying with the health protocols at evacuation centers. The risk of transmitting a variety of diseases is also high.

Residents and local administrations still have much work to do in instilling discipline in complying with the health protocols at evacuation centers. The risk of transmitting a variety of diseases is also high.

KOMPAS TEAM

· 5 minutes read

MAGELANG, KOMPAS – Residents and local administrations still have much work to do in instilling discipline in complying with the health protocols at evacuation centers. The risk of transmitting a variety of diseases is also high.

Some people who were evacuated in anticipation of a Mount Merapi eruption, for example, are still gathering in crowds while continuing their activities without masks. The movement of residents and volunteers also needs monitoring to reduce risks.

At Deyangan village hall in Mertoyudan district, Magelang, Central Java, for example, several evacuees, many of who were elderly or children, were not wearing masks on Friday (13/11/2020).

It’s not easy to breathe, I feel uncomfortable

Parinem, a 75-year-old refugee from Krinjing village, Dukun district, admitted that she found it difficult to breathe when wearing a mask. "It’s not easy to breathe, I feel uncomfortable," Parinem said at the Deyangan village hall evacuation center, where she was staying in a booth with three other elderly residents.

A similar scene was observed at the evacuation center in Selo district, Boyolali. Residents were seen going back and forth, ignoring the health protocols. Klakah village head Marwoto said it was not easy to instill the understanding the importance of always wearing a mask.

Also read: Mt. Merapi Eruption Predicted to Not Be As Big As in 2010

Sumber, Bakalan, Bangunsari, and Klakah Duwur are four of the six hamlets in the volcano hazard zone in Klakah village. The four hamlets have a combined total of 315 residents deemed “vulnerable”. Only half of these people have been evacuated.

Complete facilities

Sudarno, who heads Babadan II hamlet in Dukun, Magelang, said that the evacuees had been provided with masks. Soap and water for hand washing were provided at each entrance. However, it was still difficult to monitor compliance with wearing masks and physical distancing.

"The volunteers continue to remind the residents, but the gregarious local culture makes it difficult for them to avoid gatherings," said Sudarno.

In Sleman regency, the health protocols have been enforced since the evacuation shelters were set up. They have hand washing facilities and evacuees are required to wear masks at all times.

Also read: Evacuation of Residents Prepared

The evacuation shelter at Glagaharjo village hall is already full. Initially estimated at just 133 people, the number of evacuees has grown to 185. They are sheltering in booths measuring 1.5 meters by 2 meters, each of which is restricted to 1-2 people from a single household.

Disaster mitigation head Joko Lelono of the Sleman Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) explained that the agency required volunteers from outside Yogyakarta to present their rapid test results before heading to the evacuation shelters.

Yesterday, many evacuees were seen wearing masks. However, some of them wore them carelessly. "The officers asked us to wear masks. I just try to follow them. The problem is, we often forget," said Tarjo Iyoso, a 77-year-old resident of Kalitengah Lor hamlet.

Health post coordinator Kalisvia Nurul at the Glagaharjo evacuation shelter admitted that the evacuees often forgot to wear their masks. Kalisvia conceded that this was because the village had no Covid-19 infections.

The officers asked us to wear masks. I just try to follow them. The problem is, we often forget.

Tlogolele village secretary Neigen Achtah Nur E.S. in Boyolali said that the village administration was constantly reminding evacuees to always wear their masks and to wash their hands regularly. Hand washing facilities had been provided. Wooden dividers had been installed in the booths to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

Also read: 20 Volcanoes Show Increasing Activities

Balerante village in Klaten has implemented strict health protocols from the entrance gate to the village hall compound, which was used as an evacuation center last week served for the residents of four hamlets. Two Mobile Brigade officers were on guard at the gates to the village hall, asking visitors to wash their hands and checking their temperature before permitting entry to the evacuation center. Visitors were also required to wear masks.

Balerante evacuation post coordinator Jainu said that the post had implemented strict Covid-19 prevention protocols starting on Saturday (14/11). The post is accommodating 272 evacuees from four hamlets in a volcano hazard zone. The four hamlets have a total population of 509 inhabitants.

Ideal picture

Deputy chairperson Rahmawati Husein of the Muhammadiyah Disaster Mitigation Center said that the health protocols must be implemented across four aspects at evacuation centers, namely the infrastructure, operating system, evacuee activities, and health services.

"Installing the booths is important to reduce physical contact. The provision of hand washing facilities must be increased. The residents must be prevented from queuing when washing their hands to prevent crowding," she said.