Comforts from home can definitely lift one’s spirits in troubling times, and that was the idea behind a care package sent to the Indonesian crew members quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship anchored off the Port of Yokohama.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo (KBRI Tokyo) posted several photos on Twitter yesterday regarding the delivery of the care package for the 78 Indonesian crew members, who have been quarantined on the ship since Feb. 4.
KBRI Tokyo (12Feb) mengantar cairan Pereda Masuk Angin yang diminta WNI yg sedang di atas kapal Diamond Princess yang sedang dikarantina utk observasi di Yokohama, sekaligus Mie Instan dan Vitamin C. Foto: barang diantar staf KBRI Tokyo ke petugas pelabuhan. #NegaraMelindungi. pic.twitter.com/MDij5GBTvx
— Indonesia in Japan (@KBRITokyo) February 13, 2020
“KBRI Tokyo (Feb. 12) brought common cold herbal drink requested by the Indonesian nationals who are currently onboard the Diamond Princess ship which is currently quarantined for observation in Yokohama, as well as instant noodles and vitamin C. Photo: KBRI Tokyo staff about to drop off the goods to the port officials,” KBRI Tokyo tweeted alongside the photo.
A crew member, identified by his first name Budi, received the care package on behalf of his compatriots yesterday. In the tweet below, the crew members are seen sorting through the contents of the package, which comprised of the herbal drink Tolak Angin (which is Indonesians’ go-to cure for the common cold), cup noodles, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and sachets of vitamin C drinks.
Perwakilan dari 78 WNI yg menjadi awak kapal yang sedang dikarantina di Yokohama di atas kapal Diamond Princess pada tgl 13/Feb ini sedang menyortir kiriman dari KBRI Tokyo untuk mereka semua. Meskipun tidak banyak namun cukup menghibur, katanya. #NegaraMelindungi pic.twitter.com/XboDqj5hdg
— Indonesia in Japan (@KBRITokyo) February 13, 2020
“Although it’s not much but this is cheering us up,” KBRI Tokyo quoted one of the crew members as saying.
In a report by Tribun News published today, one unnamed crew member said that they were happy to receive their share of Indonesian food because they got bored of eating food onboard the cruise ship.
The food, they said, have “lifted their spirits but also made them miss their hometown on Java island.”
The Indonesian nationals are part of the 1,045 crew members and 2,666 guests onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) confirmed today that all 78 Indonesians onboard are not infected by the novel coronavirus. Those onboard the ship are expected to remain in quarantine until Feb. 19.
Japan last night reported its first coronavirus death, hours after it announced 44 more cases among passengers on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship at Yokohama. A total of 219 people including 15 crew members had been infected as of Friday morning.
The novel coronavirus, now officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, has killed more than 1,300 people and infected over 64,400 as of this morning. The disease has so far affected at least 27 other countries around the world, including Singapore and Malaysia. Indonesia has yet to confirm a COVID-19 case in the country.
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