The Ministry Of Transportation Does Not Prohibit Going Home, The COVID-19 Task Force Asks The Public To Be Wise

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) does not prohibit the implementation of Eid homecoming this year.

Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Wiku Adisasmito asked the public to be wise in traveling.

Because, if many residents travel to return to their hometowns, it will increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19.

"In principle, whether homecoming is prohibited or not, I expect a wise attitude from the community to be able to make the best decisions, especially traveling long distances that have the potential to increase transmission," said Wiku in a YouTube broadcast of BNPB Indonesia, Tuesday, March 16.

Moreover, according to Wiku, until now there has been no official decision regarding whether or not people can go home during the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr this year.

"So far, policies related to Eid homecoming are still being discussed by the relevant ministries and institutions," he said.

Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi stated that his party did not prohibit the public from carrying out the Eid 2021 homecoming, even though the COVID-19 pandemic had not yet subsided.

"Regarding going home in principle, the Ministry of Transportation does not prohibit it," Budi said in a working meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian Parliament.

This is because the Ministry of Transportation must coordinate with other related parties who are also in charge of handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Whether or not going home or prohibiting does not prohibit, it is not the authority of the Ministry of Transportation. But we will discuss with competent parties. Of course the Task Force as the coordinator will provide one direction," said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya in a Working Meeting at Commission V DPR RI.

The Minister of Transportation said that his party needed the support of Commission V DPR regarding information about this year's homecoming. Regarding the mechanism and whether it is allowed or not, said Budi, it will be further coordinated.

Budi assessed that there was a potential increase in passengers after the COVID-19 vaccination ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

"We have mapped it. There will definitely be a surge, the vaccination program is predicted to make people want to travel," he explained.