Batam Anticipates An Increase In Return Of Migrant Workers Near The End Of The Year

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION VIA ANTARA

BATAM - The Batam City Government in the Riau Islands anticipates an increase in the return flow of migrant workers through the local area ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi said as the second level regional head, he did not have the authority to regulate cross-border between countries, regarding the return of PMI (Indonesian migrant workers). However, he is committed to continue to protect Batam residents from the threat of COVID-19 transmission.

"What policy the President will implement. But I have to protect the people of Batam," he said, quoted by Antara, Friday, December 3.

In accordance with the latest circular, all people from abroad must undergo a 10-day quarantine. According to him, the regulation should be able to save Batam residents, because the incubation period for the virus is around seven days.

However, if every PMI has to undergo a 10-day quarantine in Batam, then the relevant parties must think about the costs.

"If 200 people come a day, it means that 2,000 people are accommodated one after another. Ready not to feed them, ready not to quarantine them, ready or not by medical personnel to take care of them," he said.

So far, PMIs who enter Indonesia via Batam are quarantined in three flats. However, he reminded, the capacity of the flats is also limited.

According to him, quarantine in large numbers is prone to chaos, if not handled properly.

"There are personal needs, going to the bathroom, are we ready? There are only a few blocks of flats, if all of them enter, it can be noisy," he said.

And that's just a matter of quarantine for PMIs who are negative for COVID-19, not to mention the various preparations for PMIs who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Therefore, he said, his party will seek a solution with the local muspida, especially the Commander of the 0316/Batam Kodim as the Head of the PMI Special Task Force for Repatriation.

"Because their focus is in Batam," he said.