Mudik Ban, Road Blockade Around Greater Jakarta Starting Friday
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22 April 2020 13:37 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As a result of the National Mudik Ban, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) will operate road blockades along the Greater Jakarta area borders starting from early Friday morning at 00:00, April 24, 2020.
The road blockades are part of the ‘Ketupat’ operation, and will continue until seven days after Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran 2020.
“The Mudik Ban will be followed with road blockades and inspections of vehicles passing through checkpoints and 19 Integrated Security Posts," said the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Director of Traffic, Director General Sambodo Purnomo Yogo, in an online press conference on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
The integrated security posts, staffed by members of the Police Force (Polri), the Transportation Office and the National Military (TNI), will be spread across several main roads. More specifically, three security posts will be stationed on the toll road and 16 on the Greater Jakarta border artery roads.
“Road blockades apply only to private and public passenger cars and motorbikes, logistics and supply trucks may pass,” continued Sambodo.
For people who dare to attempt homecoming, Sambodo explained that the police would not allow their vehicles to pass and will ask the driver to turn the vehicle around.
The road blockades, Sambodo emphasized, are only intended to limit the movement of people entering and exiting the Greater Jakarta area. As for activities within the Greater Jakarta area, there will be no restrictions.
“This means that people from Bekasi can still go to Jakarta. Workers from Depok or Serpong can still go to Jakarta, and vice versa,” he added.
After a lengthy period of consideration, President Joko Widodo had previously officiated the National Mudik Ban to prevent COVID-19 transmission across the country. According to the latest data, Indonesia has recorded 7,135 positive COVID-19 cases.
“Today, I am making a big decision. In today's meeting I would like to convey that we will prohibit everyone from going mudik. As a result, please start all the necessary preparations," Jokowi said via teleconference from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)
