VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

As many as 1,970 Indonesians working for several cruise ships in Germany, have returned to Indonesia over the past few weeks, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin.A total of 242 Indonesian crew members of the Mein Schiff 3, Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5, and Mein Schiff 6 cruise ships left for the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali on Wednesday, German time. They landed at the resort island on Thursday, the embassy revealed in a press statement as quoted by Antara.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Germany, Arif Havas Oegroseno, said this is the last repatriation. All of them have tested negative for COVID-19. The Indonesian sailors boarded a chartered flight of TUI Fly's TB 8333, which took off from the Hamburg International Airport at 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday.As of May 19, 2020, the Indonesian Government has facilitated the return of 99,543 Indonesian citizens from abroad. Majority of them are Indonesian migrant workers working in Malaysia and Indonesian sailors employed with foreign cruise ships//ANT

Indonesia's toll road operator PT Waskita Toll Road (WTR) has projected a major decline in toll road traffic volume under its management ahead of Idul Fitri. WTR Corporate Secretary Alex Siwu noted in a statement here on Thursday that traffic volume is projected to decline by 80 percent on the Jakarta toll road, and drop by 60 percent on the Trans Java toll road, as compared to the volume before the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). The decline is also attributable to the government's ban on mudik, or the annual exodus, to stem the transmission of COVID-19.

WTR, a subsidiary of state-owned construction company PT Waskita Karya, has established a task force, that will work in coordination with the police and Transportation Ministry, to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on toll roads and provide roadside assistance. The task force will also ensure that the toll roads are in good condition. Facilities at rest areas, such as mosques, toilets, gas stations, and food stations, will remain open to the public, with the health protocol in place to contain COVID-19 transmission//Ant

The Indonesian government needs comprehensive data from all parties, to relax large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) imposed, in several parts of the country to stem the spread of COVID-19, a government spokesperson said. The government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Achmad Yurianto, said at a press conference on Wednesday in Jakarta, that the government is in the process of formulating it (relaxation). The government is still sticking to the health protocol and PSBB, he said as quoted by Antara. In addition, it is continuing to conduct mass and massive tests, trace people believed to have come in close contact with COVID-19 patients, and isolate and treat COVID-19 patients, he added. He said the government is still conducting various studies and mulling several scenarios that will surely be developed and implemented. The studies are being conducted since problems in each districts or provinces differ from one another and all relevant sides need to study the data, he noted. He appealed to the public not to misconstrue the policy because if the relaxation of PSBB is not measurable, new cases of COVID-19 transmission would be found//Ant

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin looks ahead to bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore could fueling regional and global economic stability, amid uncertainty owing to the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens economic growth worldwide. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat voiced this aspiration, during an official phone call between both leaders on Thursday. Vice President Amin said he is optimistic that both countries would be able to figure out the best form of cooperation, to support the creation of regional and global economic stability. During the phone call, Vice President also conveyed his regards to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Jacob. As quoted by Antara, VP Amin Maruf send his regards to President Halimah Jacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as all Singaporeans, who will celebrate Eid al-Fitr//Ant