(Repeated to replace the story used through media clients)
By Johan Purnomo and Tommy Ardiansyah
JAKARTA, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Authorities in the Indonesian capital are experimenting with surprise to combat COVID-19, exposing an empty coffin at a busy intersection to warn of the risks of the highly contagious virus.
The words “victim of COVID-19” are painted red in the coffin in a neighborhood of Jakarta, which is the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic in Indonesia.
A model dressed in a protective suit, mask and mask is located next to the fake coffin, while a portrait below shows the most recent count of infections and deaths in the local district.
“The movements adopted by the leaders may be a little extreme, but that’s how we hope to raise awareness,” said Djaharuddin, director of Mampang Prapatan’s subdistrict in Jakarta.
Coronavirus has inflamed another 143,000 people and killed more than 6,200 people in Indonesia, which has the disease mortality rate in Southeast Asia.
Schools remain closed in Jakarta, home to at least 10 million people, but restaurants and public transport can operate at reduced capacity as a component of a slow easing of the city’s borders since June.Social estating measures are in place across the country, but are not taken into account.
“Infection cases are spreading throughout the day, however, other people still ignore fitness protocols,” added Djaharuddin, who uses a name.
“The installation of the coffin is helping others stay alert to the stage so they can replace their behavior.”
A village on the island of Java has used an approach, deploying an organization of “ghosts” to patrol the streets, hoping that a centuries-old superstition will keep others inside.
Jakarta’s governor Anies Baswedan said this week that he is contemplating applying an “emergency brake” to a slow transition to normality amid rising cases in the city.
The Jakarta district government is also contemplating replicating the fake coffin, local media reported.
Muhamad Soleh, who has a noodle stand across the street, said he liked the concept of the coffin.
“We have to recognize that COVID-19 is dangerous, and with a coffin installed here, I think it’s very effective,” he said (written through Angie Teo; edited through Martin Petty and Ana Nicolaci da Costa).
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