Jakarta – PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) said it is preparing MV Umsini (KM Umsini) as the very first floating seclusion center for COVID-19 patients in Makassar amid a spike in infections in the capital of South Sulawesi Province.
” This is being done as asked for by the Mayor of Makassar to use the Pelni ship as a city-scale floating seclusion facility considering the rise in COVID-19 cases in Makassar City,” said Pelni (Persero) President Director Insan Purwarisya L. Tobing Insan in a composed declaration launched on Wednesday.
KM Umsini, which is presently ceasing operations temporarily (port stay), will function as a seclusion center for asymptomatic COVID-19 clients (OTG) and patients with moderate signs, he informed.
As long as the ship is used as a floating isolation center, it will dock around Lae Island, Insan stated. KM Umsini will have the ability to accommodate 804 patients and 60 health employees released by the Makassar City government, he included.
This remains in accordance with the policy of restricting ship capability to 50 percent to allow it to meet the health procedures, he said. The ship’s crew will also be replaced every 2 weeks, he added.
Pelni will supply a number of centers such as beds, polyclinics, and running tracks on the ship, Insan informed. In addition, access to the upper deck will be opened so that patients can use it as an open location for sunbathing and working out, he included.
” Through the centers we provided, we hope that clients will feel comfy throughout their self-isolation period on the ship so that they can accelerate their recovery process and boost their immunity to battle the virus,” the director said.
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KM Umsini has been docked at Makassar Port since July 14, 2021 and has now entered the preparation stage for getting COVID-19 patients, he stated. The economy deck for client beds has likewise been set up with partitions set up in between beds, he added.
KM Umsini is among the 26 traveler ships run by PT Pelni. With a capacity of 2 thousand guests, the ship’s routine route covers Kijang – Tanjuk Priok – Surabaya – Makassar – Maumere – Larantuka – Lewoleba – Kupang.
During the emergency situation public activity limitations (PPKM Darurat) duration, KM Umsini was amongst the ships that stayed in port due to the closure of several areas.
” Before the ship is utilized once again for regular shipping, the business will guarantee that a thorough cleaning and spraying of disinfectants is performed till the ship is stated all set to operate once again,” Insan emphasized.
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