TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Aviation observer from Aviatory Indonesia, Ziva Narendra, asked the government to issue a strict policy, particularly to limit the people’s mobility during this year’s Eid al-Fitr holidays. He argued that it is vital to curb Covid-19 transmission.

According to him, if the government aims to minimize the risk of the virus spread, the public should be advised not to travel or plan holidays as long as the pandemic is still under an alert or emergency status.

“So we should not encourage residents to travel, especially if it is not a priority or just a vacation,” said Narendra when contacted by Tempo on Wednesday, February 24.

He recalled that the country’s number of positive cases jumped to 14,000 per day during the year-end holidays due to high passengers’ mobility. He did not deny that the transportation industry, especially airlines, would incur more losses following the policy on banning Eid homecoming holidays.

However, Narendra argued that the losses from the sale of passenger tickets will not outweigh the pandemic impacts if it is not contained. The pandemic which has been going for a year now will cause a sustainable economic effect in the long run.

Previously reported, the government decided to cut short the collective leave days in 2021 from seven to two days in an effort to curb coronavirus transmission, including the joint holiday for Eid al-Fitr.

Also Read: Govt Slashes 5 Days from 2021 Collective Leave Calendar

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA