Govt: Evacuees from World Dream Heading to Sebaru Islet

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Health reported that as many as 188 Indonesians who were crew members on the World Dream cruise ship had been picked up by KRI Soeharso naval hospital that is now heading to Sebaru Kecil Islet in the Thousand Islands.

"The transfer process from Batam has been carried out from the World Dream to KRI Soeharso has finished, it's clear," said Secretary of the Directorate-General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Health Ministry Achmad Yurianto who was contacted from Jakarta, Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

Yurianto said the evacuees would undergo another medical observation to ensure that they are free from the coronavirus or Covid-19. They had been declared negative for the virus by Hong Kong health authorities prior to the evacuation.

The KRI Soeharso was predicted to arrive in Sebaru Islet in the next two days (Friday, February 28, 2020), given the travel time from Durian Strait, Riau Island required a day and 17 hours, according to Yurianto.

The government had prepared the quarantine sites for the observation in accordance with the health standards set by the WHO.

Yurianto said the observation of Indonesians from the World Dream ship would take place in facilities previously used as a rehabilitation clinic for drug addicts in Sebaru Kecil Islet. "There are two-story eight buildings similar to cottages that can accommodate 200 people, and halls, dining rooms, kitchen, and bedrooms," he said.

ANTARA