VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The head of the special task force for Indonesian migrant workers' repatriation has urged workers arriving through Riau Islands to follow the quarantine procedures laid down by the government.

"Indonesian migrant workers who are arriving in Indonesia are expected to follow the quarantine procedures. Do not fret in observing the regulation because the government has properly prepared and arranged more facilities for quarantine," Brigadier General Jimmy Ramoz Manalu said in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands.

As of Friday (January 21, 2022), a total of 1,071 repatriated migrant workers have been undergoing quarantine at government facilities or self-quarantining in Riau Islands, he informed.

Around 396 migrant workers have been quarantined at the Hajj Dormitory, 270 migrant workers are staying at quarantine hotels, 261 migrant workers have been placed at the Batam City Government Flats, 71 migrant workers at the BP Batam Flats, and 29 migrant workers at the Batam city P4TKI shelter, he said.

At least 44 COVID-19 positive workers have been evacuated to Galang Island Hospital and are receiving medical care there, he added.

"The special task force is striving to take care and cater to those who are infected. Our main task is to keep new COVID-19 virus variants at bay and prevent them from transmitting within our country," Manalu said.

The special task force will intensify COVID-19 testing through several testing methods and arrival monitoring at all entry points, he added.

He also urged arriving migrant workers and travelers to observe the health protocols throughout their journey.

"This is our responsibility: to continue reminding travelers to observe the health protocol regulation," Manalu remarked.  (Antaranews)