PDIP Politician Asks Jokowi To Review The Ban On Homecoming

JAKARTA - Chairman of the DPR Budget Agency Said Abdullah advised the government to re-examine the policy to prohibit homecoming for the community. According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic did not necessarily make the government choose a shortcut by simply prohibiting homecoming.

"In fact, we have to manage this momentum as an 'exercise' to accustom the people to a new normal life. As often emphasized by the government itself", Said said in his statement, Monday, April 5.

The PDIP politician assessed that the recovery of public health has now led to a better direction in line with the ongoing vaccination program. However, apart from the health aspect, he said, the economic aspect must also be considered.

"Our glasses should not only be horse eyes, only considering the restoration of people's health as the only basis for policymaking. I am not arguing between the health and economic aspects of the people. But both are important things”, said Said.

According to Said, Eid with its homecoming tradition is a cultural as well as an economic event. Especially in Java Island which contributes 58 percent of the national GDP.

"The mobility of people from the city center as an economic center to their village or hometown during homecoming has a big impact. Economically, going home will boost household consumption levels because there will be many affected sectors," he said.

However, Said reminded homecoming must be required by showing the document of the negative COVID-19 swab for all people going home. Both on arrival and return.

"So, as long as it shows negative covid documents from PCR test results, rapid antigen, and GeNose C19 tests, why is going home prohibited?", Said Said.

Besides, he said, economic actors must also apply the health protocol that the COVID-19 task force has prepared in advance in their respective regions. Especially in areas that become homecoming crossings.

Therefore, he encouraged the accelerated implementation of vaccination against priority groups.

"Especially in areas targeted for homecoming, as an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the homecoming destination", said Said.

Previously, the government through the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) officially March 26, 2021, and then banned Eid homecoming from 6 to 17 May 2021.

The government's consideration is to ban homecoming as an effort to prevent an increase in positive cases of COVID-9. Because of experience, various long holidays from 2020 to 2021, accompanied by high mobility of residents to their villages, have an impact on the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19.