This is a result of Pelni's collaboration, as a state-owned enterprise, along with the central government and regional governments in battling COVID-19 in Indonesia
Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned shipping company PT Pelayaran Indonesia, or PT Pelni (Persero), in collaboration with the Makassar city government, officially launched the KM Umsini as a floating isolation center in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on August 2.

Director for the Passenger Transport Business of PT Pelni O.M. Sodikin expressed gratitude for the Transportation Ministry's support, so that KM Umsini can be used to facilitate the implementation of the Makassar Recover program launched by the Makassar city government.

"This is a result of Pelni's collaboration, as a state-owned enterprise, along with the central government and regional governments in battling COVID-19 in Indonesia," Sodikin noted in his statement, Monday.

He said KM Umsini is ready to operate as a floating isolation center for 785 COVID-19 patients that are asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms.

Sodikin remarked that the patients' isolation rooms are separated into four decks segregated on the basis of gender. A divider has also been installed between each bed, he added.

Meanwhile, 64 beds are readied for medical personnel, located separately from the self-isolation patient deck. This is in accordance with the policy of limiting ship capacity to 50 percent to ensure compliance to health protocols, he expounded.

Several supporting facilities have been readied to facilitate self-isolation of patients, such as CCTVs installed at 31 locations in KM Umsini, polyclinics, and a jogging track, according to Sodikin.

"Patients, who self-isolate there, can also use the upper deck of the ship as a location for exercising or sunbathing. We are optimistic that the facilities provided would support in accelerating the patients' recovery process," Sodikin emphasized.

The inauguration was marked by the signing of an agreement for collaboration between the Ministry of Transportation, Makassar city government, and PT Pelni on KM Umsini on Monday (August 2).

The signing was conducted by Mayor of Makassar Danny Pomanto and was witnessed by a representative from PT Pelni (Persero), Director of Passenger Transport Business O.M. Sodikin, and a representative from the Ministry of Transportation, the Makassar Port's Head of the Main Harbormaster Ahmad Wahid.

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Translator: Adimas Raditya, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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