No longer Natuna, Coronavirus Quarantine is now carried out on Sebaru Island

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 08:49 am

The choice of place to become the second quarantine center in Indonesia has been determined. The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy choosed Sebaru Island located in the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) to be able to accommodate 188 Indonesian crew members who will soon be evacuated from the World Dream cruise ship.

It is reported that the Indonesian crew members from the cruise ship are being transported from the Riau Islands, where they were transfered, to Sebaru Island onboard the Navy KRI Dr. Soeharso naval hospital ship.

There are two Sebaru Islands in the Northern area of the Thousand Islands’ cluster; Sebaru Besar (large Sebaru) with an area of 6.38 hectares and Sebaru Kecil (small Sebaru) at 16.60 hectares.

There are at least three official routes to reach this island and it takes 3.5 hours by boat from Ancol Marina Port in North Jakarta.

In the past, Sebaru was once used as a rehab center for the rehabilitation of drug abuse suspects. The Indonesian crew members may use the facilities, as a rehabilitation center still remain intact today.

“There is a building structure in the Sebaru Island that was used as a rehab center for illegal drug addicts,” said Kepulauan Seribu Regent Husein Murad.

He also asserted that the existing infrastructures can be used for the novel coronavirus quarantine purposes.