Face mask rebels in east Java have been ordered to dig graves for coronavirus victims as punishment.
Eight people who refused to wear face masks in Gresik regency were made to dig graves at a public cemetery in Ngabetan village.
The people being punished did not participate in funeral services but two were assigned to dig each grave.
Cerme district head Suyono said: ‘There are only three available grave diggers at the moment, so I thought I might as well put these people to work with them.
Hopefully this can create a deterrent against further violations,’ he told Tribun News on Wednesday.
The number of Covid-19 cases is continuing to rise in Cerme, prompting the village to strengthen safety measures.
Residents who ignore the new protocols are subject to fines or community service as punishment by law.
Indonesia saw its coronavirus case count rise by 3,636 yesterday, taking its total number of cases to since the pandemic began up to 218,382.
Jakarta has seen the highest number of cases since the pandemic began at 54,220, while east Java has seen 38,088.
The country’s death toll stands at 8,723 but true numbers of infected and deceased are estimated to be significantly higher due to a comparative lack of testing in the country.
Nadi bin Eji, who works in at one of the two cemeteries in Jakarta where coronavirus victims are buried said 2,600 burials have taken place in eight new plots since the beginning of pandemic.
The Pondok Ranggon cemetery told ABC: ‘Last week we buried 201 people with COVID protocols.’
He on burials from 7am until almost midnight for the last week and said he feels ‘worried’ his neighbours think he could spread coronavirus to the wider community.
