VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Achmad Yurianto (ANTARA)

The Indonesian Government has appealed to citizens, asking them not to raise objections against the burial of patients dying of COVID-19 in their areas.

"They are our brothers and sisters. They are our family that has fallen victim to this pandemic. Even some of them died while on duty. Let us pay our respect to them. There is no reason to be afraid or reject (the bodies),” said a spokesperson for COVID-19 response, Achmad Yurianto, at a press conference in Jakarta on Saturday as quoted by Antara.

He assured that bodies of patients who have succumbed to COVID-19 are being treated as per international protocols. The bodies are wrapped in plastic bags before they are placed and sealed into coffins, which are then sprayed with disinfectant, he informed.

All these processes are being handled by trained officers, hence there is no chance for the spread of coronavirus to areas near a cemetery, Yurianto said.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Indonesia has continued to increase. As of Saturday the total tally of confirmed cases to 3,842, with 286 have recovered, while 327 have died. (Antara)