Don't Be Reckless! Officials Will Also Monitor Rat Roads During The 2021 Homecoming Ban

Documentation - Prospective passengers prepare to board a bus at Pulo Gebang Integrated Terminal, Jakarta (Galih Pradipta/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation will supervise rogue travelers who return home via rat roads, in addition to supervising travel through toll roads and national roads.

This is included in the supervision of the banning of Eid al-Fitr this year. The homecoming ban was set by the government from May 6 to 17, 2021.

"The concept of our guard at the exit of each province, district, and city is not only for toll roads, but also alternative roads that are often used by the community. All roads, rat roads will be maintained," said Director General of Land Transportation Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) Budi Setiyadi on Thursday, April 8.

Then, Budi confirmed that his party and the police have prepared sanctions for citizens who remain reckless to make Eid al-Fitr homecoming this year.

Budi said that just like the provisions of homecoming travel in Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr in 2020, the Police Korlantas will crack down by turning around vehicles that are recklessly homecoming by road.

"The sanctions that we will do with the Police force as in years past, for people who use vehicles and do not meet those requirements will be reversed," he said, in a virtual press conference.

For travel vehicles or individual transportation used to transport passengers, police officers will take decisive action in the form of refining and other actions in accordance with the Traffic and Road Transport Law.

Hundreds of roads blocked

The police will implement a blockade along Lampung to Bali. This restriction relates to the implementation of the policy of banning homecoming during Eid al-Fitr 2021.

"At this momentum, the National Police will hold a sealing at 333 points, especially from Lampung to Bali," said Police Chief Irjen Istiono.

Hundreds of sealing points, continued Istiono, are on the borders of provinces and districts. Stubborn people still returning home will be prevented.

The implementation of this policy aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because, referring to the data of each long holiday must have an impact on the increase in positive cases of COVID-19.

"That is the main mobilization point that should be done in addition to check points in some areas," Istiono said.

Istiono also ensured that no one community could escape the sealing. The reason is, the sealing point is much more when compared to last year.

"I make sure no one passes because we built 333 evaluation points from last year's evaluation. Last year we built 146 points, this year 333 points and already coordinated with the relevant agencies. All synergies are compact to seal thoroughly both between provinces and districts," he said.