Airbus A330-300 Flies 42 Members Of The Indonesian Citizen Evacuation Team To Wuhan

Airbus aircraft evacuating Indonesian citizens in Wuhan (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister (Menlu) Retno Marsudi together with Minister of Health (Menkes) Terawan Agus Putranto, and TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto released the joint team to evacuate Indonesian citizens to Wuhan, China. Aircraft with a capacity of 392, the release of the joint team was carried out at Terminal 1A of Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

The joint evacuation team consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TNI, and Batik Air cabin crew totaling 42 people. Meanwhile, the composition of the medical team that was included in the group was one Internal Medicine Doctor, Lung Doctor, Anesthesia Doctor, Obgyn Doctor, Cardiologist, two General Practitioners and one nurse.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that Indonesian citizens who would be evacuated were in good health to leave Wuhan and other places in Hubei Province. Prior to their departure to Indonesia, a series of medical tests were carried out to confirm their condition.

"From last night I communicated and continued to receive reports that our relatives were in good health and they were happy to return to Indonesia. The number of our Indonesian citizens who will return with the pick-up team is 245 plus 5 of our teams who have been in the field since yesterday coming home to. carrying out health protocols. The number that will increase from Wuhan is 250, "said Retno, during the team release ceremony, at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Cingkareng, Banten, Saturday, February 1.

Retno said, considering that this situation was not a normal situation, the discipline in handling health protocols would continue to be enforced. This discipline is enforced including during travel, arrival and post-arrival. Health protocol also applies to the crew and the aircraft itself upon arrival.

"I need to convey that our citizens who are at several points in Hubei have started moving towards Wuhan," he explained.

Release of the evacuation team to Wuhan (Mery Handayani / VOI)

The gathering points for Indonesian citizens are in several cities. First, in Enshi City, which is 542 km away. Second, Jingzhou City is 222 km from Wuhan Airport. Then Guangshui is 100 km away, and Xianning is 90 km, and in Wuhan there are five points.

"The PRC, they need some equipment, namely masks and surgical units. This equipment will be received directly by the PRC government through the Hubei Charity Foundation. This is a noble mission we must carry out with full discipline. I at the same time ask the prayers of all Indonesian people, for our citizens and for Indonesia, "he said.

After delivering a message to the joint evacuation team, Retno then gave a cloth with an image of the Indonesian flag tied around the arms of each team.

Not all teams wear complete personal protective equipment (PPE). Only two out of 42 people. They wear masks, goggles, gloves and protective clothing. While the rest, only use masks.

Haru was felt in the room, the chanting of prayers was read. The mission of the joint evacuation team is not easy, Minister Retno always gives encouragement at every opportunity.

Then, the evacuation team was invited to leave the room to the plane. The Minister of Health, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces accompanied them on board the aircraft used, namely Batik Air Airbus A330-300.

This aircraft will fly directly to Wuhan. The aircraft moved to leave the country at around 13.00 WIB. The evacuation team and also 250 Indonesian citizens in Hubei Province will return to Indonesia the next day, February 2.

When met at the same location, Lion Air Group President Director Edward Sirait said that this flight would still follow flight procedures as set out by the Ministry of Transportation. As well as world regulations in the context of aviation security safety.

"So we all know that there are only two operators who fly there. The first is Lion, the second is Sriwijaya. The one with the big plane is Lion, so it is a collaboration. It's clear," he said.