Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - A total of 239 Indonesian migrant workers, who returned from Malaysia through the Batam Port, will be quarantined in a block of flats managed by the Batam City administration.

"There are several vacant rooms in the building. They will be quarantined there," Didi Kusmarjadi, the Batam Health Office head, stated here on Thursday.

The migrant workers will arrive in Batam via ship in two batches from Malaysia.

The Health Office will deploy its medical team in the building, Kusmarjadi noted. "In case of an emergency, they can be referred to the nearest public health center (Puskesmas) or hospital," Kusmarjadi remarked.

In the meantime, Head of the Batam Port Health Office Achmad Farchanny spoke of his intent to work closely with the city administration to check the migrant workers' health upon arrival and conduct swab tests for COVID-19.

"We have readied additional personnel at the Batam Center Port. We have prepared an ambulance and evacuation team," he revealed.

Batam City Secretary Jefridin Hamid had earlier said all migrant workers that arrived at Batam would undergo quarantine and health checkups.

"Not only rapid test but we will also conduct swab test," he stated.

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Translator: Yuniati J Naim, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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