I have received information that until now, four Indonesians have tested positive for coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. They all have been taken to a hospital in Japan. The Indonesian embassy has always monitored them.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that the Indonesian Embassy in Japan continues to monitor Indonesian citizens, who had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) aboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner.

"I have received information that until now, four Indonesians have tested positive for coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. They all have been taken to a hospital in Japan. The Indonesian embassy has always monitored them," he noted in Jakarta on Thursday.

He remarked that some 70 other Indonesian citizens are still aboard the cruise liner.

The Foreign Ministry has maintained constant communication with the operator of the cruise liner and the Japanese authorities, he stated.

"We want to ensure that they receive treatment in accordance with WHO's health protocol," he remarked.

The president stated that the Indonesian government continues to hold discussions with the Japanese authorities over the repatriation of Indonesian citizens aboard the cruise liner.

Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi Ishii stated in Jakarta on Tuesday night that the Japanese government is ready to help repatriate 78 Indonesian citizens employed as the cruise liner’s crew members quarantined in the Yokohama waters if the Indonesian government decides to bring them home.

"We have not received information on the Indonesian government's policy regarding the evacuation of Indonesian citizens aboard the cruise liner. However, we will be ready and pleased to cooperate," Ishii stated in Jakarta on Tuesday night.

In total, 78 Indonesian citizens are employed as crew members of the cruise liner.

The 74 other Indonesian citizens were quarantined aboard the cruise liner until Wednesday (Feb 19).

With four additional cases of Indonesian nationals, the total number of cases testing positive for COVID-19 on the cruise ship currently reaches over 447.

The ship has onboard 3,714 people, including 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew members from 56 countries. Related news: Japan ready to help repatriate 78 Indonesians from Diamond Princess

Related news: 3 crew members of Indonesian Diamond Princess ship contract COVID-19

EDITED BY INE

Translator: Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga/Suh
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020