2026 Lebaran Homecoming Flows Estimated at 155 Million People, Government Prepares Strategy

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said that the potential for community mobility in the 2026 Lebaran homecoming flow is estimated to reach around 155 million people. The government has also prepared a number of strategic steps to anticipate the surge in movement.

Pratikno said the government was trying to distribute the departure time of travelers so that there was no accumulation of travel on certain days.

"One of the things we are trying to make this homecoming flow more smoothly, safer, and more comfortable is the distribution of the movement of travelers. With this series of policies, we hope that travelers will not accumulate at a certain time," said Pratikno in a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, March 11.

Based on a survey by the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, the potential for community movement during the homecoming this year reached around 143.9 million people. However, experience in previous years shows that the actual number is usually higher than the survey results.

"The survey estimate is 143,915,053. However, from year to year in practice it is higher than the survey, about 10 percent higher, which means it could be about 155 million people moving," he explained.

To reduce travel density, the government has implemented a number of strategic policies. One of them is the implementation of flexible working arrangements (FWA) for some workers.

FWA will be implemented on March 16-17 and March 25-27, 2026. In addition, the government also regulates the school holiday schedule starting March 16 and the policy of joint leave to spread the travel time of the community.

In addition to mobility arrangements, the government is also aware of the potential for extreme weather during the homecoming period. Based on the forecast of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, some areas of Indonesia are still potentially experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall due to atmospheric dynamics and the potential for cyclone seeds.

"We also have to be vigilant, anticipate wet hydrometeorological disasters which according to BMKG have the potential to be medium to high in some parts of Indonesia," said Pratikno.

As a precautionary measure, the government has prepared various operational support, including weather modification operations and the readiness of 191 BMKG Technical Implementation Units in various regions.

In the security sector, the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia will also hold the Ketupat Operation 2026 on March 13-26, 2026. In addition, integrated posts across ministries and agencies will be alerted at various locations to provide information services and assistance for travelers.

In terms of health, the government has prepared more than 2,700 health service posts along the homecoming route. Health checks for public transport drivers have also been carried out in a number of areas.

"Currently, health checks have been carried out on 338 bus drivers at a number of company pools and terminals in Central Java and West Java, and will be expanded to other areas," said Pratikno.

The examination includes checking blood pressure, blood sugar, alcohol tests, to drug and other addictive substances.

In the midst of high community mobility, the government also reminds of the potential for the spread of infectious diseases such as measles. Pratikno urged the public to ensure that children's immunizations are complete and to maintain clean and healthy living behaviors during travel.

"We invite all residents to ensure that measles immunization is complete, especially for children, and to maintain clean and healthy living behaviors during the homecoming trip," he said.

In addition, the government also ensures the readiness of various supporting facilities for travel, ranging from thousands of pilgrim-friendly mosques, the readiness of rest areas, the availability of fuel, to the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles on the main travel routes.

Closing his statement, Pratikno invited the public to follow the instructions of officers and utilize official government information during the homecoming journey.

"We hope for cooperation from all parties and tolerance from the public to obey the advice of officers and always monitor information. Hopefully this homecoming will be safe, smooth, comfortable, healthy, and joyful," he concluded.