"If possible, prior to departure, get your health check-up done. A total of 6,047 health facilities are available. Get the levels of your blood pressure, blood sugar, and also stress examined," she remarked while addressing the press at Gambir railway station here on Tuesday.
Travelers must plan their trips at least six days before they depart and maintain their physical health, so they are fit during their journey.
"Being healthy is crucial. We, the Health Ministry, Transportation Ministry, and National Police, as well as other relevant stakeholders, stand united in facilitating the implementation of 'mudik' (homebound journeys). Those driving must be healthy and abstain from drinking alcohol," she emphasized.
The Health Ministry has established 6,047 medical facilities for this year's mudik, comprising 923 health posts, 4,210 community health posts, 375 hospitals along the Java northern coastal route, 144 reference hospitals, 207 seaport health officers, and 188 public safety centers (PSC) 119.
This year, the number of medical facilities has risen from 3,910 in the previous year, she pointed out.
Moreover, Moeloek reminded travelers to carry along medicines, specifically for those ailing from certain diseases.
The minister has advised them to rest in four-hourly intervals and utilize medical facilities in rest areas to check their health.
Indonesian Muslims, constituting over 85 percent of the country's 260 million population, began observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan on May 6, 2019. They will celebrate the Eid al-Fitr Islamic festivities after the fasting month ends on June 5 or 6.
Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating Eid al-Fitr in their hometowns along with their relatives. Consequently, there is an influx of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of the year.
The government has forecast that over 22.83 million Eid al-Fitr holidaymakers will travel by public transportation this year, up four percent than last year. Related news: Flow of homebound travelers can be controlled properly: President Jokowi
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Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Fardah
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
