Chairperson Of The COVID-19 Task Force Asks Local Governments To Prohibit Local Homecoming

Chairperson of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19, Doni Monardo (Photo: Diah Ayu / VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairperson of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Doni Monardo asked the local government to also prohibit local homecoming during this year's Eid homecoming prohibition period, May 6 to 17, 2021.

Previously, the government excluded travel restrictions during the elimination of homecoming in agglomeration areas. Agglomerations are cities that are incorporated in a certain area.

"We hope that local homecoming is still prohibited. Do not allow local homecoming to occur", Doni said in a virtual coordination meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force on Sunday, May 2.

Doni said, not a few people have returned to their hometowns. They are desperate to go home even though it has been prohibited. The figure, there are still 7 percent of the population or 18.9 million people.

Doni said, if the community continues to do a homecoming, both local and outside the agglomeration area, it means that there will still be direct contacts such as shaking hands and cipika-cipiki (kiss the right and left cheek).

"That means, there can be a process of transmission to one another. Therefore, once again we have to work hard how we can invite these 7 percent not to go home", he said.

Therefore, Doni asked parents in their hometowns to also prohibit their children and families from homecoming. This is because it is not enough if the government only requests not to homecoming.

"Parents in their hometown are asked to remind those who are overseas to postpone going home this year", said Doni.

For information, the Ministry of Transportation has excluded eight agglomeration areas from the travel ban for homecoming purposes.

The eight urban areas listed in the Minister of Transportation Regulation Number 13 of 2021 include 8 areas that are allowed for local homecoming:

1. Medan Raya: Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang, Karo

2. Jabodetabek: Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi

3. Bandung Raya: Bandung City, Bandung Regency, Cimahi City, West Bandung Regency

4. Semarang Raya: Semarang, Kendal, Demak, Ungaran, Purwodadi

5. Yogyakarta Raya: Yogyakarta City, Sleman, Bantul, Kulon Progo, Gunungkidul

6. Solo Raya: Solo City, Sukoharjo, Boyolali, Klaten, Wonogiri, Karanganyar, Sragen

7. Surabaya Raya: Surabaya, Gresik, Lamongan, Bangkalan, Mojokerto, Sidoarjo

8. Makassar Raya: Makassar, Takalar, Maros, Sungguminasa