Prohibit Lebaran 2021 Homecoming, Luhut: We Don't Have Many Choices, Don't Let Cases Increase By 30 Percent

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan spoke about the government's decision to ban Eid homecoming from 6 to 17 May 2021. Luhut said that the government did not have many options in this regard.

"Indeed, we don't have many choices. Because we see experiences in Europe, in India, once we open it, it immediately rises 30 percent. We don't want that," said Coordinating Minister Luhut at the Investment Forum's press conference for Bali Post COVID-19 Rethinking and Reinventing, Friday March 26th.

Furthermore, Luhut said, this decision was motivated by the experiences of Europe and India. Therefore, the cabinet meeting has decided to ban this year's Eid homecoming.

"Earlier it was decided at a cabinet meeting, we just hold on to the Eid holiday," he said.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadjir Effendy said the transmission and death rate of COVID-19 was still high, especially after a long holiday. Therefore, the government prohibits the 2021 Eid homecoming on May 6-17, 2021.

"There is one day of leave with Eid al-Fitr, but no homecoming activities are allowed. Social assistance will be given," said Muhadjir.

Muhadjir said, the official rules regarding the ban on going home will be further regulated by the National Police and the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub). According to him, the homecoming ban was taken according to President Joko Widodo's direction on March 23, 2021.

"The mechanism for the movement of people and goods will be regulated by the relevant ministries and institutions. For religious activities in order to welcome Ramadan, the Ministry of Religion will arrange for it, and consult with religious organizations," he said.