Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Social Affairs Ministry sent home 51 of the 144 migrant workers deported by Malaysia after they tested negative for the coronavirus disease at the Bambu Apus Shelter and Trauma Center (RPTC) in East Jakarta.



The ministry, in collaboration with the health office, conducted rapid tests on the migrant workers deported by Malaysia, in accordance with the health protocol for stemming the spread of COVID-19 infections, chief of the Subdirectorate of Human Trafficking Victims, Dian Bulan Sari, said in a written statement released on Thursday.



The workers tested negative for COVID-19 after undergoing rapid tests on April 13, 2020, she informed.



The migrant workers were taken to the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, from where they were flown to their hometowns, according to the statement.



The workers were flown home in two batches. The first batch left the airport at 00.15 a.m. and comprised 27 workers headed to Surabaya, 13 to Lombok, and one to East Nusa Tenggara. The second batch left at 7 a.m. and comprised 11 workers headed to Surabaya.



The returning migrant workers were asked to comply with regulations, including wearing masks and implementing physical distancing, while on their way home, she said.



The ministry also gave Rp250 thousand in cash to each of the returning migrant workers. (INE)


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EDITED BY INE

Translator: Desi Purnamawati/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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