Government Preparations To Pick Up 74 Indonesians On The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The government immediately evacuated 74 Indonesian citizens who were crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Two of them had been declared exposed to the corona virus (COVID-19) there, but their final results were stated negative.

"I think as soon as possible, because this is still the diplomatic process of Indonesia and Japan for us to ask for this, ask for this, but there is still no answer there," said the President answering journalists' questions after reviewing the nurseries in Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province, Friday (21/2 ).

Jokowi said that their repatriation was in the preparation stage. However, the decision has not been made. "We have also prepared a hospital ship but matters relating to the location have not been decided yet," he said, adding that there was also a possibility that the evacuation would be carried out by plane.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy explained that dr. Soeharso from the Indonesian Navy or by air for this evacuation process. Everything is being taken into account in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

"I cannot convey it in detail. Later, we will wait until we convey it to the President. If there is a direction from the President, I will submit a more complete one," he said, Thursday, February 20.

On the cruise ship, out of 3,700 people, both passengers and crew, 621 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Two of the passengers were declared dead due to exposure to the corona virus or COVID-19.

Launching NHK, the Japanese government said the two people who died were their citizens. Those who died were an 87-year-old man and an 84-year-old woman.

Last week after the two people were caught having health problems caused by the corona virus, they were disembarked from the ship. They were then treated at a nearby hospital. Unfortunately their lives are not saved.

The Diamond Princess ship has docked in the city of Yokohama since February 3. Two days later, on February 5, the ship was quarantined after receiving information that a male passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong on January 25 had contracted the virus. Since then, the virus has spread on the ship.