We have opted for traffic restrictions -- only passenger cars will be banned, while cars carrying goods or logistics (service providers) would still (be allowed to) move on the roadsJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Transportation Ministry has decided to ban public and private vehicles carrying travelers headed home for Eid al-Fitr from passing through COVID-19 red zones.
"We have prepared a scheme under which public transport vehicles, private cars, and motorcycles will be prohibited from entering and leaving red zones once ‘mudik’ (annual Eid exodus) is banned," director general of Land Transportation of the Transportation Ministry, Budi Setiyadi, said here on Tuesday.
Several regions, including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), have implemented large-scale social restrictions to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
Setiyadi said once the ban on ‘mudik' takes effect, traffic on roads heading from and to red zones would be restricted rather than blocked.
"We have opted for traffic restrictions -- only passenger cars will be banned, while cars carrying goods or logistics (service providers) would still (be allowed to) move on the roads," he explained.
Any home-bound travelers violating the ban on ‘mudik' would face sanctions, in accordance with Law No. 6/2018 on health quarantine, Setiyadi said.
"The lightest sanction will be ordering motorists not to continue with their home-bound trip," he informed.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has officially barred all citizens from traveling to their hometowns for Eid al-Fitr celebrations to thwart the transmission of the novel coronavirus disease.
"At today's meeting, I have decided that a ban will be applied on the 'mudik' tradition for all citizens," President Jokowi stated at a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss precautionary measures in connection with the homecoming tradition at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
Annually, millions of people travel to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Jokowi explained that the decision was taken on the basis of an evaluation conducted by the Transportation Ministry.
"Based on the Transportation Ministry's survey, 68 percent of the people will not observe the ‘mudik’ tradition, 24 percent have insisted on ‘mudik’, and 7 percent have already returned to their hometowns. This means, 24 percent (of people) are still left," the President elaborated.
Related news: "Mudik" ban to be applied nationwide since April 24: Minister
Related news: President bans "mudik" for citizens to contain COVID-19 spread
Related news: Expert urges government to ban "mudik" over COVID-19 transmission
Translator: Juwita Trisna Rahayu/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
