TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police Traffic Corps Head Insp. Gen. Istiono confirmed that there were people who were caught passing alternative routes to return to their hometowns or villages, or locally known mudik, violating the government’s ban on homecoming which is aimed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“The percentage [of people using alternative routes] is small. Many vehicles have been forced to turn back at West Java and Central Java borders,” said Istiono to Tempo on Monday, April 27.

Istiono had previously instructed his personnel to monitor all back roads in each border of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi or Jakarta Greater Area during the ban implementation.

If homecomers insisted on going mudik through alternative roads, he underlined, they would not succeed because they must meet other COVID-19 checkpoints.

“They will be caught at next checkpoints which are opened until Central Java,” Istiono remarked.

He then appealed to all people to skip mudik during this year’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holiday for the sake of common good amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“We encourage awareness of the public to not spread the virus to other regions,” Istiono asserted.

Earlier on Thursday, April 23, the Transportation Ministry had hinted that the temporary ban on using public transportation, private vehicles, and motorbikes for the annual exodus to celebrate Eid al-Fitr would come into effect on Friday, April 24, at 00:00 WIB.

ANDITA RAHMA