Covid-19 Indonesia: Grim photo highlights devastation virus continues to cause

Indonesia is battling one of Asia’s worst Covid outbreaks, and these tragic images lay bare the devastation caused by the virus.

Indonesia appears to gaining some ground in the battle to curb its Covid-19 outbreak, but harrowing images highlight the devastation the virus continues to cause.

Active virus cases in wealthier Java, where the capital Jakarta is situated, and Bali have dropped 27 per cent this month, while the country’s seven-day case average has also continued to fall.

Still, Indonesia, considered one of the world’s Covid-19 epicentres, continues to record tens of thousands of new infections, and in August to date more that 1500 deaths, each day.

In Yogykata, about 500kms southeast of the country’s capital, there were tragic scenes as workers carried a coffin containing a baby that died in the womb after the mother contracted virus.

A worker carries a coffin containing a baby that died in the womb after the mother contracted Covid-19. Picture: AFP

Indonesia continues to record tens of thousands of Covid-19 cases each day. Picture: AFP

The country is struggling to stop the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Picture: AFP

Like Australia, Indonesia is also struggling with the highly contagious Delta variant although to a far greater extent.

It’s vaccine rollout is also lagging due to shortages, logistics and hesitance. About one in 10 people have been fully vaccinated, and less than 20 per of the population have received their first dose.

The burial team of the regional disaster management agency provide training for villagers on how to deal with a corpse who has died due to Covid-19 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Picture: Getty Images

Movement restrictions in the country have been extended in many provinces outside of Java and Bali until August 23 — areas where vaccination rates are lowest, cases are rising sharply and health infrastructure is under strain.

Earlier this week the government promised to deploy ferries as floating isolation centres to the worst-hit areas of North Sumatra, North Sulawesi, Papua and Lampung.

Family members offer prayers during the funeral of a loved one who died from the Covid-19 coronavirus at a cemetery in Jakarta. Picture: AFP

Steps are being taken to open up some major cities in Indonesia. Picture: AFP

Despite all of this, steps are being taken to reopen the country under a pilot program currently being rolled out across several major cities.

Shopping centres, and other commercial and industrial centres will reopen at 25 per cent maximum capacity to vaccinated people only.

Similar rules would apply on public transport, in grocery stores and markets, offices, hotels and restaurants, resorts and schools.

In restaurants, vaccinated patrons will be allowed to sit unmasked with three fellow diners, while unvaccinated visitors will be limited to two per table in ­outdoor areas.

Patrons must prove their vaccination status via the government-sponsored “Peduli Lindungi” app.

The move has raised questions over equity given the country’s low vaccination rate.

“Vaccinated people are entitled to more relaxed protocols than unvaccinated ones,” Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Monday.

“The virus will stay with us for long. We need to have a road map that anticipates it could take years to get rid of the virus, and adopt the appropriate health protocols that will allow us to continue with economic activities in a safer circumstance.”

Originally published as Covid-19 Indonesia: Grim photo highlights devastation virus continues to cause