Repatriation for 69 Indonesian crew members of Diamond Princess in Japan begins

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 07:44 am

Continuation case of the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19 oboard Diamond Princess where currently docked in Yokohama, Japan, there will be repatriation for those who were there, including some 69 Indonesian crew members.

Earlier, the Indonesian crew members had been quarantined for more than two weeks on the ship. On Sunday, Tokyo time, they began the process of returning home.

Before left the ship, they had lunch provided by the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. Then, the Indonesian nationals left the ship one by one, and had their body temperatures measured.

By measuring body temperatures, authorities would identify those whose body temperatures are higher than the number set by the Indonesian Health Protocols. The Foreign Ministry said, if they had higher body temperatures from standard, they were asked to return to the ship.

Those 69 Indonesian citizens who voluntarily participated in the repatriation process, left the ship using a bus. After, they fly to go back to home country using a Garuda Indonesia plane that was waiting and due to depart from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Sunday at 6 p.m. local time. This airplane, with destination to Kertajati Airport, West Java, is expected to arrive around 12:30 am, Western Indonesia Time.

Furthermore, the dozens of Indonesian citizens will be taken to quarantine site for observation. They will go to the port of PLTU Indramayu first, then go to Sebaru Kecil Island, Thousand Islands, using sea transportation.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japanese health officials had given full support during the repatriation process for the Indonesia citizens. The Joint Team from Indonesia that help their repatriation consisting of officers from the Indonesian Military Force, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.