Arranging Scenario For Restriction Of Homecoming For Christmas-New Year, Ministry Of Transportation: We Will See Developments Of Omicron Virus

Meeting of Minister of Budi Karya with Commission V of the House of Representatives (Nailin In Saroh/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has prepared a scenario for limiting going home for the Christmas and New Year's 2022 holidays by considering the increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe and the United States. This scenario is also part of the anticipation of the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19, Omicron, which has spread in a number of countries.

"We will still see the development of the Omicron virus. If it is dangerous, to what extent it must be anticipated, we will carry out conservative activities. And we have prepared a concept for Christmas and New Year," said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi at a working meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Parliament Complex, Senayan, Wednesday, December 1.

The Ministry of Transportation said it would limit passenger carrying capacity in all transportation sectors. For example, for land transportation, the maximum carrying capacity is set at 50 percent or lower than the previous 70 percent. Then, for ferry transportation, the maximum passenger capacity is 70 percent of the total seats provided.

Furthermore, said the Minister of Transportation, the government will regulate the restrictions on operating hours of public transportation in accordance with the COVID-19 Task Force Circular and the Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, for private vehicles, the Ministry of Transportation proposes the implementation of an odd-even license plate regulation system in agglomeration areas, toll roads, provincial capital roads, and tourist areas. Odd-even license plate regulation for private vehicles are planned to be carried out on the Merak-Merak Toll Road, the Palimanan-Kanci Toll Road, and the Cikampek Toll Road, as well as the Padalarang Toll Road.

"The odd-even license plate regulation system will run from December 20, 2021 to January 2, 2022," said the Minister of Transportation.

Nevertheless, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya said the government would not limit logistics transportation travel either by land, sea, or air. The government, he said, would provide a special policy for logistics transportation to ensure that the people's basic needs are met by the end of the year.

"We will ensure Christmas and New Year's readiness by checking the operational feasibility of each mode with a ramp check," he explained.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Transportation will order all public transportation operators to implement the PeduliLindungi application during the Christmas and New Year holiday periods.

"The ministry will also establish monitoring points and posts on toll and non-toll roads," said Budi Karya.