April 14, 2020

Andrew Campbell 

In Kepuh village in Indonesia, a flock of volunteers play as ghosts to let people stay at home for social distancing. The "pocong" symbolizes dead soul in Indonesian folklore, with shroud tied to the body. According to the volunteers, the activity starts in early April and has positive effects on the environment to keep locals stay at home. 

On March 31st, Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia announced a national public emergency due to the outbreak of coronavirus. According to Antara News Agency, a letter from the Indonesian President calls COVID-19 as a national disaster. Though several measures have been taken, such as bans for foreigners entering Indonesia and self-isolation for 14 days for citizens coming back from other countries, the President is still considering about the need of a national lockdown in Indonesia. 

By the figures from Johns Hopkins University, there are at least 4,839 confirmed cases and 459 deaths of COVID-19 in Indonesia. The head of Kepuh village, Priyadi, says that the residents need the knowledge to constrain the spread of coronavirus. The scientists at the University of Indonesia point out if there is no further restraint on the movement and assemblage, there might be 140,000 deaths and 1.5 million cases by May, with the approaching of Ramadan.

Photo:Webshot.