Eight people in Gresik regency, East Java have been ordered to dig graves for COVID-19 victims.
After refusing to wear face masks in public, eight people have been assigned the task of helping a local gravedigger.
Refusal to wear a face mask in Indonesia is punishable by fines or community service. In this case, 8 people have been forced to dig graves for victims of COVID-19. This task has been assigned by local authorities in the province of East Java at a public cemetery in the Ngabetan village. Taking this further, two people have been assigned to each grave: one digs the grave and the other one lays wooden boards inside.
The Cerme district head and local politician Suyono explained:
There are only three available gravediggers at the moment, so I thought I might as well put these people to work with them.
Authorities hope that this punishment will have a deterrent effect.
By making those who refuse to wear face masks dig the graves of those who have died as a result of COVID-19, authorities hope to prevent future violations. People on social media have commented on the punishment with some explaining that they are essentially digging their own graves.
With Coronavirus cases on the rise, Indonesian authorities are urging people to follow health protocols and wear face-masks. In addition to this, according to the Jakarta Post, Cerme Police chief Adj. Pol. Comm. Moh. Nur Amin has explained that ‘the police would cooperate with the military to enforce the protocols’ and disperse public gatherings.
