Maybe someone had just had a nasty dump and the FA was trying to protect the passenger from going in there!
Big Boeings have a similar arrangement with their doors. The top and bottom of Boeing doors have a full-width flap arrangement (about 3 - 5 inches high) which hinges inwards when the door handle is first moved. If the aircraft is not un-pressurised when the handle is first moved then it soon will be.
?? Never seen these on any Boeings.