Indonesia to quarantine crew from World Dream ship

Around 188 Indonesian crew members evacuated from the World Dream cruise ship were transported on Friday to a quarantine zone on an uninhabited island off Java, amid concerns over the spreading COVID-19 illness.

The crew members, including 16 women, were picked up by an Indonesian naval hospital ship, according to officials.

Evacuees were transported to Sebaru island, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the capital, Jakarta, by two boats shortly after the naval hospital ship anchored near the island shortly after 09:30 GMT, where they will spend the next 14 days in quarantine.

They arrived on the island Friday afternoon and taken to the quarantine facility designated for 250 people.

It was originally built as drug rehabilitation site.

Another group of 68 Indonesian crew members evacuated from Diamond Princess cruise ship is expected to arrive on the same facility on Saturday.

They were reported in good health after being quarantined on the cruise ship for 2 weeks.

9 other crew members had tested COVID-19 and remain hospitalised in Japan

Earlier on February, the government decision to quarantine some 238 Indonesia nationals evacuated from Wuhan on the remote Natuna island sparked anger among Indonesia's islanders who staged protests fro days.