Total Indonesian Citizens Overseas Exposed To COVID-19 5,538 Cases, 224 People Died

ILLUSTRATION/PIXABAY

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the active role of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in efforts to protect and handle the surge in Indonesian COVID-19 cases abroad.

"Speaking of handling and protecting Indonesian citizens, we can't help but need an active role for Indonesian citizens abroad. It is impossible for Indonesian representatives to do this alone," said the Director for Protection of Indonesian Citizens/Indonesian Legal Entities (PWNI/BHI) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yudha Nugraha was quoted by Antara, Friday, August 6.

The statement was made considering the number of Indonesian citizens infected with COVID-19 abroad continues to grow.

Based on data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of August 5, 2021, the total number of Indonesian citizens abroad who have been infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic is 5,538 people.

Of these, 4,587 people have been declared cured and 224 people have died. The data was obtained from the total cases of COVID-19 among Indonesian citizens in 95 countries and 39 ships.

"So when we look at this case, the magnitude is indeed very large. Never in the history of the protection of our Indonesian citizens abroad have we faced cases of this magnitude, this many, and have occurred in almost all Indonesian representatives in the world," he said.

The total number of Indonesian COVID-19 cases abroad, said Yudha, needs to be a warning for all parties to be more vigilant in the future.

For this reason, he asked for an active role from all parties, not only the Indonesian Embassy as representatives of Indonesia abroad but also Indonesian citizens, to jointly control the increase in COVID-19 cases.

This active participation, he said, can be done by Indonesian citizens by continuing to protect themselves from the potential dangers of COVID-19 transmission, among others, by implementing a healthy lifestyle and implementing strict health protocols.

The health protocols can be implemented by continuing to wear masks, washing hands frequently with soap, maintaining physical distance from others, avoiding crowds, and limiting mobility.

Active participation of Indonesian citizens abroad can also be carried out by immediately reporting if they experience health problems to the carewani.kemlu.co.id website.

"The importance of self-report is very important, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Because when the Indonesian Embassy does not have data, the Indonesian Embassy's ability to provide assistance quickly is also limited," said Yudha.