Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Two Saudi nationals have died in Indonesia after contracting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. Two other stranded Saudis who were down with the pandemic have recovered and will be returning to the homeland soon, Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Isam Abid Al-Thaqafi told Okaz/Saudi Gazette recently. The Indonesian authorities haved taken effective precautionary measures to deal with the crisis, he said. Many Saudi events were planned but have to be postponed, Al-Thaqafi said. He said about 1,000 Saudis were left stranded in Indonesia because of the suspension of air traffic due to the pandemic. Besides, there are hundreds of vacationing Indonesians who were planning to return to the Kingdom. "Response from our wise leadership came quick and we weree able to secure suitable accommodation for them and provide them transport from the airport to the hotels and meals. Many Saudi events in Indonesia were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Thaqafi said. Among the postponed events, he said, were the annual Prince Sultan International Holy Qur'an Memorization Contest and international Islamic conference that is organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Besides, many important bilateral visits had to be put off. The ambassador was all praise for the Saudi government's handling of the coronavirus crisis. He said the precautionary measures adopted by Saudi Arabia were lauded by several advanced countries. The Kingdom has set an example and its measures are being copied by many important countries. This shows the Saudi leadership's concern for Saudi citizens, Al-Thaqafi said. There are no Saudi doctors working in the Indonesian hospitals, he said. However there is a continuous cooperation between the ministries of health of the two countries. Five visits of high-ranking officials will be carried out between the two countries after the present crisis is over, he said. He added: "Regrettably, there were two deaths among the stranded Saudi citizens. They were dealt with and buried in Indonesia in coordination with their families. Several other Saudis have or are undergoing treatment in Indonesian hospitals," he said.
