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COVID-19: N. Sulawesi endorses hand sanitizer homemade from local alcoholic beverage
Because of shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, the deputy governor of North Sulawesi, Steven Kandouw called for hand sanitizer to be homemade using the local Cap Tikus beverage, which has an alcohol content of 50 percent, as the main ingredient.
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A resident buys masks and hand sanitizer at Pramuka Market, Central Jakarta, on March 4. The Metro Jaya Police previously conducted spot checks in the market, finding that the prices of masks and hand sanitizers had increased by up to 10 times and a number of masks were not in accordance with the Indonesian National Standards (SNI). (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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s the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the country, people in Manado, North Sulawesi have started to buy a local alcoholic beverage called Cap Tikus (Mouse Brand) - not to drink, but to make homemade hand sanitizer.
Because of shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, the deputy governor of North Sulawesi, Steven Kandouw called for hand sanitizer to be homemade using Cap Tikus, which has an alcohol content of 50 percent, as the main ingredient.
In addition, as many as 900 liters of Cap Tikus made by micro, small and medium enterprises in Tareran, South Minahasa was purchased by North Sulawesi's COVID-19 task force to be processed into hand sanitizer, which is to be freely distributed to the public.
Cap Tikus is a traditional fermented beverage originally from Minahasa that is distilled from the naturally alcoholic sap of sugar palms. The local alcoholic beverage has long been a favorite among North Sulawesi residents.
As reported by tribunnews, some residents have been experimenting by mixing some of the Cap Tikus with fragrant oils to be made into a solution that is believed to have similar chemical content as hand sanitizer.
"The 600-milliliter Cap Tikus is usually priced at Rp 20,000 [US$1.25], but now it is priced at Rp 50,000 as people are buying it for hand sanitizer," said Robby, the Cap Tikus salesman from Tamaluntung village, North Minahasa, North Sulawesi on Thursday.
He added that he was overwhelmed by the increasing demand for the beverage in the past three days. While the brand offers drinks with varying levels of alcohol content - from 30 to 50 percent - Robby said that most people came to buy the ones with the highest level.
Engelbert Hart, another Cap Tikus seller, said that recently he could sell up to 30 bottles of Cap Tikus a day, up from the usual 10 to 20 bottles.
"I am happy that more people come to buy, but I am also anxious about whether they bring the coronavirus with them or not," said the man who has been selling the beverage for 30 years.
On Thursday morning, the North Sulawesi COVID-19 task force reported that six North Sulawesi residents were under monitoring for COVID-19. Indonesia has reported 227 confirmed cases nationwide.(trn)
