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COVID-19 travel restrictions tightened ahead of Idul Fitri
Govt bans ‘mudik’ from April 22 to May 5, as well as May 18-24
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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.
A negative COVID-19 test result is not required for routine passengers of sea travel in certain subdistricts, regencies and provinces. People traveling within an agglomeration area, such as Greater Jakarta, are also not required to present a test result. However, personnel from the regional task force may carry out random checks at the borders.
Authorities may also carry out random checks for negative test results on travelers using other means of land public transportation and private vehicles outside the agglomeration areas. Such travelers are recommended to take a test no later than 24 hours before departure.
In a previous version of the mudik ban, out-of-town travel would be permitted only for urgent matters, such as the death of a family member. Public officials and public workers are allowed to travel for work-related matters but must carry a permission letter from their respective supervisors and regional heads that states their specific reasons for traveling.
Read also: Amid sluggish vaccination roll-out, elderly vulnerable in 'mudik'
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin expressed his concerns over the possible spike of COVID-19 cases as he feared that people would still find ways to go on mudik despite the ban. The Health Ministry has identified 65 cities across 12 provinces as the main mudik destinations for Jakarta residents.
Indonesia’s new daily COVID-19 infections continue to exceed 5,000, with only 2 percent of the population having received their second vaccine dose.
