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EDISI KE-2/2020 GEMA INDONESIA
COVID-19

deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. and other groups. Separate line the fasting month for Moslem, the
According to the Embassy data, as of communications were also es- Embassy has also organized online
of July 2020, there are 3.552 Indo- tablish to communicate with In- activities to boost mental and psy-
nesian citizens in Italy, Malta, and donesian crews working in Italian chological strength through online
Cyprus. In Italy alone, Indonesian cruise ships, and Indonesians liv- sermon that had been followed
citizens amounted 3,153 people, ing in Malta, Cyprus and San Ma- enthusiastically by Indonesian citi-
of which 463 are students, 355 In- rino. The Embassy has also issued zens in respective accredited coun-
donesian Migrant Workers (PMI), numerous travel advices, notifica- tries including Indonesian crews of
and 847 men/women married to tion and public information with the Italian cruise ships.
Italian citizens. Most of Indonesian regard to the Covid-19 pandemic
citizens who live in Italy are staying in Italy through Embassy’s web- Another activities that had been
in the northern part of Italy such as site and social medias (IG, Twitter, conducted by the Embassy was
Milan and other several cities. Facebook). The Embassy urged distributing logistical packages and
all Indonesian nationals to raise aid including masks, hand sanitiz-
As covid-19 pandemic spreads in awareness of the pandemic, main- ers, staples and vitamins for Indo-
Italy, the Embassy has taken sev- tain hygiene and healthy live, and nesian citizens, especially those
eral strenuous efforts especially in to follow and obey related policies experiencing financial impacts due
the context of protection of Indo- and instructions implemented by to COVID-19. Since April 2020,
nesian nationals interest. This pro- Italian authorities. the Embassy has distributed 1.132
tection is of importance, as it is one packages to Indonesians (citizen,
of mandatory tasks that has been In this connection, Indonesian seafarers, and students) in Italy
stipulated in the 1945 Indonesian Ambassador Esti Andayani has and Malta.
Constitution (UUD 1945). Some gave numerous interviews with
efforts and policies, including: Indonesian medias from radio, Furthermore, in close coordination
television and online medias. The with related stakeholders in Indo-
First, setting up a special task force, interviews were focusing on the nesia and Italy, including the prin-
namely “Indonesian Embassy Task condition of Indonesian nation- cipal cruise ship companies, the
Force in combatting Covid-19” and als in Italy, Malta, Cyprus and San Indonesian Embassy has repatri-
also established a special hotline Marino, and related efforts by the ated numerous Indonesian crews
number (+393389234243) that can Embassy to protect Indonesian back home to Indonesia. Some of
be contacted 24/7 on issues relat- nationals. These interviews are of those repatriation processes were
ed to Covid-19 in Italy and con- importance to give “the right in- conducted by charter flights, while
sular services and other related formation “ about the situation others are using commercial flights
issues. During the early period of in Italy in order to prevent hoax- and ships. As of July 2020, there
the pandemic, the hotline numbers es and answering strong concerns were more than 1,600 Indonesian
received around 20 calls and text in Indonesia of the situation and crews have been repatriated back
(whatsapp text) every day includ- condition of Indonesian nationals to Indonesia. Several hundreds In-
ing during the weekend. The task in Italy and other accredited coun- donesian crews and seafarers are
force also set up a routine meeting tries. Numerous press releases have currently in the process of the next
to assess situation and issues relat- also been submitted to Indonesian repatriations.
ed to the protection of Indonesian medias as well as Italian medias.
nationals. During the pandemic, the Em-
Third, support is always of im- bassy was still actively serving its
Second, dissemination informa- portance during the pandemic. In consular services, opened its con-
tion is of paramount during the this connection, for example, spe- sular services by maintaining and
crisis. In this context, the Embassy cial programs have been set up to respecting health and safety pro-
has set up special Whatsapp group boost citizens mentality and psy- tocols, including through an ap-
which consist of representative of chological strength. The Indone- pointment basis.
Indonesian communities in Ita- sian student association (PPI) has
ly, including Indonesian Student organized several online counsel- Indonesia remains committed to
Association in Italy (PPI- Italy) ing. As the month of April is also provide services and protection for

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