TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned airliner Garuda Indonesia confirmed the news reporting that a number of its passengers are under a quarantine of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand.

Garuda CEO Irfan Setiaputra said that it is a common procedure implemented by Thailand airport’s authorities since the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic.

"It’s a common process in Thailand," Irfan told Tempo, on Saturday, April 4.

Previously, several Thai media reported that around 55 Garuda planes were held in Suvarnabhumi Airport. The passengers were about to be tested for coronavirus.

Irfan said his office was aware of the report from the team in the location and they confirmed the news.

Based on the report received by Garuda Indonesia CEO, all of the passengers – boarded in GA868 flight on April 2 – are Thai nationals who were just returned from Indonesia. "The passengers would be tested for Covid-19 by Thai Health Control," Irfan said.

The passengers were admitted to airport’s isolation chamber once the plane was landed. They may leave the room after the result is out and if there is a passenger who tested positive, the authorities will admit the passenger to the Covid-19 hospital immediately.

Meanwhile, all of the passengers’ luggage are being kept safely in the lost and found department of the airport.

Francisca Christy Rosana