VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi (middle) reviews Juanda airport in Surabaya, on Sunday (December 26, 2021). (Transportation Ministry) - 

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Sunday checked the readiness of Juanda Airport in Surabaya, East Java, as well as the quarantine facilities to serve the arrivals of Indonesian migrant workers from abroad.

The review was a follow-up on the plan to serve international flights at Juanda Airport, especially for PMI, to prevent overcrowding of international arrivals at Soekarno Hatta Airport, which reaches 3,000 to 4,000 passengers per day.

"We have coordinated with the regional military commander, regional police chief, regional secretary, and other related parties. We will prepare the Juanda Airport just like how we did it at Soekarno-Hatta Airport," he said in his statement received here Sunday.

He explained that 30 percent of the migrant workers are from East Java, Central Java, and West Nusa Tenggara. For that reason, he assessed that it would be more convenient if Juanda Airport could serve them.

Aside from reviewing Juanda Airport’s readiness, the minister also reviewed the preparedness of quarantine facilities.

“At least 1,500 rooms must be prepared in order to accommodate 100 to 150 people undergoing 10-day quarantine,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the V Brawijaya Regional Military Command, Nurcahyanto, asserted that his side is ready to support the plan and serve the Indonesian migrant workers.

"With the support from the regional police chief, governor, and related institutions, we are ready to carry out the tasks the central government assigned," he said.

In Surabaya, Transportation Minister also reviewed the type A Purabaya terminal to check the implementation of health protocols.

"On their travels, people must be served well and humanely. However, strict health protocols must be implemented," Sumadi stressed.

To this end, he lauded all parties that had readied the COVID-19 vaccination post and COVID-19 testing site at the type A Purabaya terminal//ANT