Survey Shows Millions to Likely Travel During Christmas, New Year Holidays

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Transportation before members of the House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission V on Wednesday presented results of an internal survey regarding the public mobility on Christmas and New Year's holidays. It found that 10 percent or 16 million people will return to their hometowns if the government only introduces transportation capacity restrictions.

The minister said the detailed survey oversees three parts of qualifications; “The qualifications cover public mobility in a scenario where [transportation] capacity is introduced in PPKM levels 3-4 and if travel restrictions are imposed,” he said at the DPR headquarters on December 1. 

Moreover, the 16 million who are likely to travel home under a government restriction will only be reduced by 1 percent to 15 million people if PPKM levels are increased. 

In a scenario where a travel ban is introduced, people’s interest to travel reduces to 7 percent (10 million people) or just 3 percent lower than what the government plans. 

The first phase survey held in October found that national public mobility during year end holidays will amount to 19.9 million people where 13.5 percent of them are those residing in the Greater Jakarta Area (Jabodetabek).

The Transportation Ministry has prepared a number of scenarios due to the high possible public mobility reflected in these studies. The government is also planning to impose travel restrictions following the finding of a new Covid-19 variant called omicron. 

Read: AP II Mulls Limiting Air Ticket Sales During Christmas, New Year Holidays

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA