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olice have dispersed up to 1,371 gatherings nationwide within a week since National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis issued an edict banning the public from collecting in crowds to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“This number is an accumulation of all reports coming from our regional units. We have been helped by regional administrations and the Indonesian Military when dispersing those gatherings,” National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said in a press conference on Thursday.

In the edict, dated March 19, Idham urged the public to refrain from organizing mass gatherings in public places or private properties, including social meetings, workshops, music festivals, carnivals, sports events, fairs, mass protests and family receptions.

The police also plan to press charges against those who persist in gathering in large numbers despite the warnings. The violators could face up to 16 months’ imprisonment or fines of up to Rp 900,000 (US$56.25) as stipulated in articles 212, 216 and 218 of the Criminal Code.

However, Argo said the police had so far not filed charges against those who had been involved in mass gatherings, adding that they had been very cooperative when warned by officers.

“It is because we took a persuasive approach first when asking them to stop the gatherings. We also warned them that COVID-19 would spread rampantly if they continued their activities,” he added.

Ever since the edict came into force, police officers have started dispersing gatherings and crowds during their patrols in various places across the country.

In East Java’s Blitar city, for instance, authorities dispersed crowds of people hanging out in cafés and told them to go home, while calling for the public to take their food and drinks back to their homes instead of eating outside.

Police in Bolang Mongondow regency in North Sulawesi also forced couples to hold off their wedding receptions.

Supandri Damogalad of the Bolaang Mongondow Legislative Council said that at least five couples – including his relatives – in the regency’s Lolak village had canceled their weddings in the past week, even though they had invited guests and set up tents for the events.

“Of course we are disappointed but on the other hand we can understand the urgency,” Supandri said on Friday, “It’s better for us to make this sacrifice rather than to sacrifice public interest.”

Adj. Comr. Hanny Lukas of the East Dumoga Police said he had also approached a couple and their families in the regency’s Mogoyungung village to cancel their planned wedding this week, as the public should understand the urgency of maintaining physical distancing to stem COVID-19 transmission.

“I call for the public not to organize any more large gatherings because [the police] will ensure the gatherings are dispersed,” Hanny said.

Furthermore, Argo went on to say that ensuring public health was the top priority for the police at the moment, including by taking actions against the spread of false information about COVID-19 that could risk the safety of the public.

By Thursday, the police had identified 46 individuals who had allegedly disseminated false information about the disease. However, Argo did not confirm whether all of them had been named suspects.

Wrongdoers could face a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Rp 1 billion as stipulated in Article 28 of the 2016 Electronic Information and Transactions Law if convicted.

“We hope that the public can filter any information before sharing it,” he added. (glh)