TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry is preparing a plan that could see the annual the mass Ramadan exodus, known as mudik, be banned in an attempt to prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19) from spreading even further. The government’s scheme would involve serving hefty fines for those who violate.

”As an option, those persisting to go on the homecoming trip will be enforced by the law,” said the ministry’s director-general of land transportation Budi Setiyadi in a teleconference today, March 27.

According to Budi, the ministry will issue an official ban if the option is approved by President Joko ”Jokowi” Widodo, which is claimed to completely adheres to existing laws.

However, Budi assures that the plan must still be approved by the police institution and the military, as the Eid homecoming ban’s enforcement would heavily involve the role of the two institutions.

”We hope people will obey this. But for those who have purchased tickets for mudik transportation, we will refund them,” he said. ”We expect the decision will be made on Monday.”

The mudik ban scheme will also see a drastic limitation of the traffic congestion in toll roads that head to Central Java, West Java, and East Java. The same goes for sea transport where ports will severely limit ships’ access while air carriers are also planning to reduce passenger quota up to 50 percent.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA