The COVID-19 Task Force Ban, Gibran Still Allowing Local Homecoming: SIKM Is Not For Picnics

JAKARTA - The Mayor of Surakarta Gibran Rakabuming Raka still allows the local Solo Raya homecoming even though the central government strictly forbids the people going home on Idul Fitri 1442 Hijriah.

"Regarding the local homecoming we will coordinate again, so far we still allow it," said Gibran in Solo as quoted by Antara, Friday, May 7.

According to him, if the local homecoming ban is enforced, the regional government will find it difficult to do the blocking considering there are many accesses that connect Solo City with its surrounding areas, including Sukoharjo and Karanganyar Regencies.

"Solo is really small, what kind of insulation will we not allow it to do local homecoming, especially for daily activities Solo will definitely involve Solo Raya. However, activities are indeed limited," he said.

Regarding the local homecoming, his party will also hold discussions again with the central government.

"I'm still waiting, for sure Solo is very small. Later, if there is anything, we will revise it (micro-based PPKM circular)," continued Gibran.

Meanwhile, although tourist destinations remain open during the elimination of the homecoming, his party appealed to visitors who come to be residents of the Solo Raya region.

"Only local residents, those from outside Solo Raya, don't need to. SIKM is specifically for urgent purposes, not for tourism. SIKM for picnics, yes, we don't allow it, especially SIKM from the red zone," he said.

Gibran said that some of the leading tourist destinations in Solo that continue to receive visits during the elimination of homecoming, including Balekambang Park and Taru Jurug Animal Park (TSTJ).

Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Wiku Adisasmito emphasized that local homecoming is also prohibited during this year's Eid homecoming period.

In this case, homecoming on a local scale is a trip to a hometown in cities that are still incorporated in certain areas or agglomerations.

Many people are confused about whether local homecoming is prohibited or allowed. This is because travelers in an agglomeration area do not need an exit and entry permit (SIKM).

"To solve the confusion that exists in the community regarding local homecoming in agglomeration areas, I emphasize that the government prohibits any form of homecoming, both across provinces and within one agglomeration city district," Wiku said in a YouTube broadcast of the Presidential Secretariat, Thursday, May 6.

However, Wiku emphasized that other activities besides going home in one regency / city or agglomeration, especially in essential sectors, will continue to operate without any kind of isolation in order to accelerate regional socio-economic activities.

"The public does not need to worry about the potential for exchanges in this one area because the operations have been regulated in the PPKM city district and micro PPKM programs through capacity and operational hours," explained Wiku.

There are a number of sanctions that will be imposed for people who are still determined to travel without a negative COVID-19 result letter, or a traveler's permit, which is reversed or returned to the area of origin of the trip.