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Government will allow people to ‘mudik’ this year
The Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus) will return this year with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announcing that the government would ease restrictions for the holiday festivities for the first time in the two years since the pandemic started.
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A police officer manages traffic at a checkpoint between Yogyakarta and Central Java in Prambanan, Klaten, Central Java on May 12, 2021. The checkpoint was set up as part of the 'mudik' (exodus) ban imposed last year by the government around the Idul Fitri holiday to prevent COVID-19 transmissions. (Antara/Aloysius Jarot Nugroho)
T
he Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus) will return this year with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announcing that the government would ease restrictions for the holiday festivities for the first time in the two years since the pandemic started.
Indonesian Muslims can finally hold mass prayers during the fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on April 2.
“This year, Muslims can hold congregational tarawih [Ramadan evening prayers] and gather to pray in mosques… People who also want to go on mudik are welcomed [to do so],” Jokowi said on Wednesday, adding that Indonesia’s encouraging COVID-19 situation had warranted the easing of mudik restrictions.
While the President initially said only Indonesians with booster shots could go on mudik, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin later clarified that those who had not received their booster shot or had not completed their primary vaccination could still do so, provided they present a negative antigen or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Budi said people going on mudik using public transportation would have their vaccination status or COVID-19 test results checked at departure points, while those using personal transportation would be screened at random checkpoints along the country’s arterial roads.
“Alternatively, for those who want to get their booster shot [on the spot], the government will also prepare vaccination spots at public transportation facilities and the checkpoints,” Budi said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
The minister assured that the country has more than enough vaccines in stock for the drive.
