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No ‘mudik’ ban for Idul Adha, Transportation Minister says
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Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi (center) walks through Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, West Java, on March 1. (Antara/Dedhez Anggara)
T
here will be no ban on mudik (exodus) during Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) this year despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Transportation Ministry Budi Karya Sumadi said on Tuesday.
Budi said he had asked all transportation operators to enforce safety and health protocols established by the national COVID-19 task force circular on travel requirements.
“We’re striving to build public trust to feel confident using public transportation such as buses, trains, planes and ships,” he said in a press release published on Tuesday.
The recent COVID-19 task force circular on travel stipulated that domestic travelers using public transportation were required to show negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid test results in a test taken no more than 14 days before the day of travel.
Alternatively, travelers could show a symptom-free testimonial from a doctor if COVID-19 testing was not available in their area.
The regulation requires travelers to install the PeduliLindungi surveillance app, used to trace and track suspected carriers of the virus as well as confirmed COVID-19 patients on their mobile phones.
The minister urged the public to obey other health protocols, such as wearing face masks and face shields, maintaining physical distance and frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer use.
He also instructed employees of the ministry to anticipate a spike in vehicle and passenger traffic as the Idul Adha holiday approached. The holiday is expected to begin on Friday.
“We have taken anticipatory measures at transportation nodes, on national roads and toll roads and in tourist areas where we predict increased vehicle flow because of the long weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Budi said.
