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Natuna schools resume activities as Wuhan evacuees are quarantined in regency
The Home Ministry said the two weeks school dismissal would disrupt the students’ learning process.
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A toddler and family members are seen wearing protective facemasks at Raden Sadjad Airport in Ranai, Natuna island, on Feb. 3, 2020. (AFP/Ricky Prakoso) (AFP/Ricky Prakoso)
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atuna Education Agency in Riau Islands has revoked a circular issued by the regency's regional secretary ordering schools to dismiss their classes for two weeks after the regency was officially named a quarantine and observation zone for 243 evacuees from Wuhan and surrounding cities in Hubei province, China.
The agency issued another circular on Monday stipulating the revocation of the previous circular.
"All learning activities [in schools] resume normally starting Feb. 4," said the circular, a copy of which was obtained by The Jakarta Post.
Natuna regional secretary Wan Siswadi issued a circular mandating a school break lasting from Feb. 3 to Feb. 17 for all elementary and high schools located near Bunguran Island, where the evacuees are being quarantined.
Read also: Natuna closes schools as Wuhan evacuees put under quarantine in regency
The Home Ministry responded to the issuance of the first circular by instructing the Natuna administration to revoke it and resume schooling in the area. The instruction was conveyed in a telegram sent by the ministry's regional autonomy director general, Akmal Malik, on Monday on behalf of Home Minister Tito Karnavian.
"The school break policy will disrupt the student's learning process," Akmal wrote in the telegram.
The government evacuated on Sunday 243 people from the virus-hit region using a Batik Air Airbus A330. The evacuees comprised 242 Indonesian citizens, including five Foreign Ministry officials, and one non-citizen. They arrived at Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam, Riau Islands on Sunday morning and were immediately airlifted to Natuna by the Air Force.
The authorities have provided adequate temporary housing at a military base in Natuna for the returnees, who are under continuous observation. The evacuees will stay there for 14 days to allow them to be observed throughout the virus' estimated incubation period. (gis)
