VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian citizens who live in several US states are advised to stay at home and avoid crowds during the US presidential election on November 3, 2020.

The appeal was issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to avoid possible riots if there is a demonstration.

The appeal was made by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) New York for Indonesian citizens living in their working areas, namely the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Through a circular dated November 1, 2020, New York time, the Indonesian Consulate General made five appeals for hundreds of thousands of Indonesian citizens living in these 15 states.

"Indonesian citizens are urged to avoid crowds or other vulnerable places that are considered to be potential locations for demonstrations or riots," said the Indonesian Consulate General in New York in a circular received in Jakarta Monday night (2/11).

Despite the potential for riots, the Indonesian Consulate General asked the Indonesian people to respond to all situations calmly and with full vigilance during the presidential election. Indonesian citizens are also asked to remain at home during the presidential election.

"Indonesian citizens are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible if there are no urgent matters/interests," said the circular.

If there is an urgent need that requires residents to leave their homes, the Indonesian Consulate asks Indonesian citizens to apply health protocols, such as wearing masks and maintaining distance, to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

In order to know the development of the situation during the presidential election, the Indonesian Consulate General in New York also asked the Indonesian people in the US to follow information from the official media and calls from related institutions, particularly regarding the security situation in the US.

Finally, the Indonesian Consulate General in New York launched a hotline that could be contacted if Indonesian citizens needed assistance in facing an emergency situation.

"Indonesian citizens who need assistance from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia New York can contact the hotline number of the Indonesian Consulate General in New York: 347 806 927, 646 491 3809, 646 238 8721, 929 366 9842, 929 329 4872."

According to self-report data from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of June 2020, the number of Indonesian citizens in the US has reached more than 142,000. (Antaranews)