Malaysia Lockdown, Indonesia Asks Indonesian Citizens To Be Returned Gradually

JAKARTA - Malaysia will deport around 7,200 Indonesian citizens to return to Indonesia. Currently, the neighboring country is in lockdown due to a spike in cases.

Spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said that currently the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia has prepared a plan for the return of Indonesian citizens.

"Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia in Malaysia have also prepared a contingency plan to ensure the full repatriation of Indonesian citizens or PMIs in Malaysia," Wiku said in a virtual press conference, Friday, June 4.

In addition, the government has lobbied Malaysian authorities for deported Indonesian citizens to be repatriated in stages. This is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases.

"Especially for deportants, the Indonesian government has carried out diplomacy with the Malaysian government to carry out repetitions in stages according to the magnitude of the health risk," he said.

On that occasion, Wiku also said that the government would issue a new rule regarding the extension of the isolation period for foreign travelers.

In particular, travelers who come from countries that are under quarantine (lockdown) such as Malaysia and other countries that are experiencing a crisis in handling COVID-19.

"The Indonesian government plans to extend the duration of quarantine from 5x24 hours to 14x24 hours for travelers from countries experiencing the COVID-19 crisis," he said.

For information, since Tuesday, June 1, Malaysia has implemented a total lockdown to deal with the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. Day after day the data collection shows an increasingly serious situation. How severe is the current wave of COVID-19 in Malaysia?

The total lockdown will be implemented in the next two weeks. All malls are closed. There are only 17 service sectors that are allowed to operate during. These sectors include health care, telecommunications, food, beverages, utilities, banking, and media.

The government also granted license exemptions for companies in 12 manufacturing sectors, including food and beverage manufacturing. In addition, the manufacturing sector of medical devices and textiles is also permitted to maintain the production of personal protective equipment.