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COVID-19 task force tightens travel rules ahead of Idul Fitri ‘mudik’ season
In the latest version of the travel restrictions, all travelers must present the result of a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 24 hours before departure.
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Passengers of a ship from Dumai, Riau, line up to get their travel documents checked at the arrival terminal of Sekupang Port, Batam, Riau Islands on April 21. A "mudik" (exodus) ban on this year's Idul Fitri holiday forces some people to go on an early homecoming trip for the Islamic holiday, slated for May 12 or 13. (Antara/Teguh Prihatna)
T
he national COVID-19 task force has tightened travel restrictions for the days leading up to and after Idul Fitri to further discourage mudik (exodus) and suppress the spread of COVID-19.
In a circular issued on Wednesday, the task force referred to a survey conducted by the Transportation Ministry’s research and development agency that showed “groups of people wish to go on mudik one week before and after the ban.”
The government has officially prohibited mudik for May 6-17. This year’s Idul Fitri celebration is slated for May 12 or 13, depending on the sighting of the moon. The peak of mudik usually occurs a week before the holiday.
Read also: ‘Mudik’ banned – again
The new restrictions will be in effect from April 22 to May 5, as well as May 18-24. During these periods, anyone traveling by plane, train and ship is required to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen test result taken no later than 24 hours before departure.
Travelers are allowed to test themselves using GeNose, a coronavirus breathalyzer invented by Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
Under normal circumstances, authorities allow travelers to present results of tests taken three days prior to departure.
