We increased surveillance in portsBatam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Port operators in Batam Island, Riau Islands Province, have increased surveillance of passengers by conducting three steps of protection, including providing information on health alert cards, and monitoring passengers with thermal scanners and thermal guns.
"We increased surveillance in ports," Batam Port Authority's chief of health office, Achmad Fachranny, said in Batam, Monday, in a bid to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection on the island. Earlier today, President Joko Widodo confirmed the first case of COVID-19 infection in Indonesia, contracted by a 64-year old mother and her 31-year old daughter.
Following the president's announcement, all passengers at international terminals in Batam ports are being required to fill out health alert cards. "If they refuse to fill the health alert card, they're not allowed to enter the ports," Fachranny stated.
He noted that passengers in a group must enter the thermal scanners individually. If they have a normal body temperature, the passengers would continue to the port's immigration check point. However, authorities will also check passengers' body temperatures by using a thermal gun.
"(If they have high body temperature), they'll be observed for 15 minutes by our medical staff. If they have a fever, we'll take them to a hospital," he added. (INE)
Related news: Transportation Ministry heightens protection in ports to halt COVID-19
Related news: Government readies 100 hospitals to handle coronavirus cases
Related news: West Java on high alert after two coronavirus-infected Depok residents
Translator: Yuniati J N/Genta Tenri Mawang
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
