Indonesian Crew Quarantined in Diamond Princess Voices Concern

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An Indonesian national working as a crew for the Diamond Princess cruise ship voiced fear over the quarantine and how it exposes him, and other Indonesians who are not infected, to a higher risk of transmitting the novel coronavirus. 

The Indonesian crew, Dimas Wahyu Pratama, said the situation aboard the cruise ship is steadily gripping and worrying. 

“It gets uneasy day by day as [coronavirus suspects] increase in number and crews from other countries have been sent home,” said Dimas to Tempo on Monday night, February 25. 

According to Dimas, cruise ship crews that still remain are from India, Italy, and South Africa. Previously reported, 9 out of 78 Indonesian crews aboard the Diamond Princess are tested positive for novel coronavirus and are treated at a hospital in Yokohama, where the ship currently docks. 

Passengers stretch on the balcony of their cabins on the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan February 10, 2020. That takes the number of coronavirus cases on the ship docked in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, to 130, according to domestic broadcasters TBS and NHK, citing Japanese health ministry sources. The health ministry's communication office had no information on the report when contacted by Reuters. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

He said that the remaining crews somewhat continue to maintain the ship’s operations despite being under quarantine. Dimas also acknowledged the routine checks that he deemed commendable with body temperature gauges installed in each room. 

“The crews’ needs are fulfilled really well by Japan and the company as they don’t want their crews to fall ill,” said the 23-year old. 

Dimas said the Indonesian crews on the cruise liner are eager to be evacuated by the government and prefer to undergo quarantine back in Indonesia. “It’s cramped here under the same air. It’s also cold here,” said Dimas. 

Indonesian Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto previously stated that the government is in talks with Japan and will not rush the plan to evacuate Indonesians aboard the Diamond Princess.

Budiarti Utami Putri