Tighter Travel Rules Won't Stop People from Going Mudik, Says MTI

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) Chairman for Advocacy and Social Affairs, Djoko Setijowarno, said the government’s decision to tighten regulations on people’s mobility restriction will not affect their will to go on mudik or Eid homecoming.

“Tighter rules only mean more travel requirements. Travelers will still return to their hometowns regardless of those conditions,” said Djoko when contacted on Friday, April 23.

The tightened policy is noted in the Addendum to the Covid-19 Task Force Circular No. 13 of 2021 concerning the homecoming ban and efforts to control the Covid-19 spread signed on Wednesday, April 21. The rules have taken effect since Thursday, April 22.

Through the policy, the government enforced stricter rules such as mandatory antigen test that is valid 1x24 hours before departure and GeNose test during the trip. Djoko opined that people who have purchased tickets for Eid al-Fitr will not cancel their plan.

“This policy shows that the government is in a state of panic as it does not prepare regulations thoughtfully and only focuses on the ban from May 6-17,” he opined.

Djoko said the government needs to build people’s awareness and logic that traveling during the pandemic is full of risks so that it could create a healthy travel or mobility map that must abide by the health protocol.

Additionally, the government should oblige anyone who insists on going mudik to practice self-quarantine at the destination hotel for 14 days at their own costs.

Read Also: People Insisting on Going Mudik May Subject to Criminal Sanction: Police

IMAM HAMDI