219 Indonesian Migrant Workers Positive For COVID-19 Treated At RSKI Galang

Head of Batam City PMI Repatriation Task Force who is also Dandim 0316/Batam Lt. Col. Kav Sigit Dharma Wiryawan. ANTARA/ Naim

BATAM - A total of 219 Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who had just returned from Malaysia and Singapore were treated at the Galang Island Hospital because they were confirmed positive for COVID-19, upon arrival in Batam City, Riau Islands.

"Now a total of 221 people are being treated at the Specialized Hospital for Infection (RSKI), 219 PMIs and two Batam residents," said the Head of the Batam City PMI Repatriation Task Force who is also Dandim 0316/Batam Lieutenant-Colonel (Letkol) Kav Sigit Dharma Wiryawan in Batam, as reported by Antara, Friday, March 18.

According to him, there has been no decrease in the number of PMIs being treated at the RSKI for being positive for COVID-19 in recent times.

On the other hand, his party reduced the COVID-19 quarantine facility for PMIs who had just arrived in Batam.

According to the rules, PMIs whose antigen and PCR test results are negative for COVID-19 must undergo quarantine in Batam.

"Three flats were initially prepared, now they are reduced to just one flat. Because the circulation is not as dense as yesterday," he said.

He said the number of PMIs returning to the country from Malaysia and Singapore via Batam every day was around 200 to 250 people. That figure is relatively normal compared to before. There is no significant decrease or increase.

However, because the COVID-19 quarantine period is shortened according to government policy, there is no need for many quarantine facilities.

On that occasion, he said, according to the latest regulations, overseas travelers who have received a complete and booster COVID-19 vaccination injection, only need to undergo quarantine for one day.

"But, if he has a Batam ID card, then he can stay at home," he said.

The same rules also apply to foreign tourists, if they have received a complete vaccine, they only need to undergo a one-day quarantine while waiting for the results of the PCR test.