TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has finally taken the decision to evacuate all Indonesian citizens in Hubei Province, China and is collaborating with Lion Air Group to evacuate them.

Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto assured that all of the 243 Indonesian citizens there had carried out health checks regarding the coronavirus.

"Citizens who are brought home are healthy citizens. It has been screened and cleared there to ensure that we bring healthy Indonesian citizens," he said during a press conference at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Terawan further said the 243 Indonesian citizens will undergo health protocols based on rules set by the World Health Organization (WHO) when quarantined in Natuna, Riau Islands.

"It requires discipline, this observation transit protocol observes healthy people, not sick people. Therefore the protocol given must be carried out with discipline by all parties and we will continue to monitor as Minister of Health," said Terawan.

Terawan hopes that all Indonesian people can offer the best prayers so that the evacuation of these Indonesian citizens from Wuhan can run smoothly. "I'm sure with the blessings of all prayers, all can go well," he said.

The government is evacuating 243 Indonesian citizens from Wuhan, China by cooperating with Batik Air which is included in the Lion Air Group.

EKO WAHYUDI