TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Video-sharing app TikTok collaborated with the national COVID-19 mitigation task force launched a special program dubbed #MudikOnline.

The program was aimed at supporting the government’s policy on the prohibition on the annual mass exodus or mudik during this year’s Eid al-Fitr in a bid to curb the further spread of the new coronavirus, said the platform’s Head of Public Policies for Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Donny Eryastha.

“We as a private party support [the government’s] mudik ban. This is a campaign with a tagline Mudik Online. We call on users to communicate with families through video calls and video sharing,” said Donny on Monday, May 18.

The campaign includes various activities that invite users to feel content and have a spirit in welcoming and experiencing Eid or locally known Lebaran online. Users can create short videos of 15-60 seconds by using available features in the app.

Donny mentioned that his side was determined to help disseminate the government’s program on the mudik ban. “Our mission is to inspire users through TikTok videos and direct assistance to the task force, especially for medical workers. This is one of our ways to back the government,” he added.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok has carried out many campaigns starting from educating the public about proper handwashing, face masks, and the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) order, up to providing social cash assistance to the task force. The number of app users has reportedly increased, too.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI