TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ad-interim Minister of Transportation, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, confirmed that the homecoming ban applied to the Greater Jakarta areas of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi (Jabodetabek) that implement Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) and the red zones.

"(The homecoming ban) is applicable for Greater Jakarta and areas designated to impose Large-Scale Social Restrictions and also those included in the coronavirus red zone," Pandjaitan remarked in Jakarta, Tuesday.

At a limited meeting today, President Joko Widodo arrived at a decision to ban all Indonesians from returning to their homeland during Eid 2020 to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

The homecoming ban will restrict the movement of people in and out of as well as to areas, especially Greater Jakarta.

"However, the movement of logistics is still justified and permissible within Jabodetabek," Pandjaitan explained.

Furthermore, means of mass transportation in Jabodetabek, such as the Electric Train (KRL), will also continue to operate.

"This aims to make it easier for the community, especially health workers, to continue with their work and tasks. Hence, I repeat that KRL will also not be closed," he clarified.

"The homecoming ban is effective as of Friday, April 24, 2020, and there are sanctions, with application effectively carried out, starting May 7, 2020," Pandjaitan stated.

The minister emphasized that the decision to ban the homecoming exodus was not taken in a hurry.

"Hence, the government's strategy is a gradual one. All aspects must be prepared meticulously," Pandjaitan affirmed.

Indonesia had recorded 6,760 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday (April 20), with 590 deaths and 747 having recovered; 16,343 patients under surveillance (PDP); and 181,770 people under surveillance (ODP).

The coronavirus infection has spread to all 34 Indonesian provinces, with the highest count of confirmed cases recorded in Jakarta, reaching 3,097; followed by 747 in West Java; 590 in East Java; 370 in South Sulawesi; 351 in Central Java; 341 in Banten; 140 in Bali; 107 in Papua; 96 in South Kalimantan; 89 in South Sumatra; and 83 in North Sumatra.

According to the Worldometers website, as of Tuesday, 2,481,528 people in 213 countries had contracted the coronavirus infection. It also recorded 170,439 deaths owing to the virus and 647,734 patients having recovered.

The United States has 792,913 confirmed cases, followed by Spain, with 200,210 cases; Italy, 181,228 cases; France, 155,383; Germany, 147,065; the United Kingdom, 124,743; Turkey, 90,980; and Iran, 83,505.

ANTARA