East Java Provincial Government Has Not Confirmed Free Homecoming Event

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

SURABAYA - The East Java Provincial Government has not confirmed the title of the free homecoming program to welcome Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijri as it was done before the COVID-19 pandemic.

East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak said the uncertainty was because the program was not included in the 2022 provincial Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).

"We are aware that going home is no longer prohibited, but last year without knowing whether this year the COVID-19 condition was still possible or not, so this program has not been included in the APBD budget," he said as quoted by Antara, Thursday, April 7.

Whether or not a free homecoming will be held, he said, it is also waiting for the participation of various entities that can make it possible to carry out the program, but the scale is not as massive as usual.

Regarding the anticipation of the increasing flow of Lebaran homecoming this year, the number two in the East Java Provincial Government said that every year there are homecoming posts at a number of points.

In addition, continued Emil Dardak, this time around there is an obligation for complete vaccines or boosters for travelers, including the policy of implementing COVID-19 tests in the form of PCR for recipients of one vaccine and antigen testing for recipients of two vaccines.

"Then the information we got from the Regional Police, for example, was to check points. Not all of them were sealed, but sampling, the purpose of which was to ensure that the requirements and so on were met for travelers," he said.

Regarding crowded points such as tourist attractions and others, it must be ensured that they are not too full and according to the standard of health protocol regulations.

The former Trenggalek Regent reminded not to let the managers or visitors of tourist attractions get out of control and ignore health protocols.

"This, of course, requires the participation of all parties to be able to maintain it. Because we know that when going home is an opportunity for tourist locations to get a good economic turnaround, the risk of spreading COVID-19 must really be anticipated," said Emil.

Arumi Bachsin's husband added that the infrastructure for the preparation for going home was based on the promise of the Central Java-Bali National Road Implementation Center to the Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa some time ago that the bridge subsidence in Lamongan could be completed 10 days before Eid.

This includes toll roads, which are currently functioning properly and are accompanied by homecoming posts provided to ensure the smooth running of travelers while on their journey.