Mudik Travelers Urged to Get COVID-19 Vaccine, Booster

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 task force Wiku Adisasmito encouraged people willing to return to their hometown or mudik for the Eid al-Fitr celebrations to get COVID-19 vaccines. Wiku emphasized that Eid homecoming travel has the potential for virus transmission.

He also urged people who have not received a booster dose to get one immediately. “People who have not been vaccinated with the full dose should immediately get vaccinated before going home,” said Wiku in a webinar on Ramadan preparations on Monday, March 28.

According to him, vaccination aims at building immunity against the virus. “It's better to get the vaccine immediately to boost the immunity, especially of those who will go on homecoming.”

People who planned to go back to their hometown for Eid celebrations should be in good health and have received a vaccine booster. “Those who haven't [got the vaccine] and could not [get the vaccine] because of certain conditions are better not to make the mudik travel,” Wiku underlined.

He explained that Eid homecoming is a tiring trip and potentially drops immunity, causing people to be more vulnerable to getting infected with COVID-19.

In addition, mudik travelers must consider the family they will be visiting, especially if among them are the elderly who have not received a complete vaccination course and have comorbidities.

Read: Epidemiologist Backs Govt's Rule on Vaccine Booster as Mudik Travel Requirement

MUTIA YUANTISYA