Over 1.5 million people followed the annual Eid tradition despite the issuance of the government's appeal to stay at home and refrain from travelling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Based on our data, some 750 thousand people had already gone home by boarding means of public transportation. On the other hand, based on data of PT Jasa Marga, 465,500 vehicles had left Jabodetabek," he remarked at a discussion panel broadcast on the BNPB's YouTube channel, Thursday.
Based on the assumption that one private vehicle carried two people, he estimated that some 900 thousand people had left and by adding the total number of those leaving aboard means of public transportation, the figure reached some 1.7-1.8 million people.
Liputo further added that those who decided to return to their hometowns for the Eid holiday would be unable to return to the Jabodetabek area as easily unless they held the exit and entry permit (SIKM) in accordance with the DKI Governor Decree Number 47 of 2020.
"Those entering the Jabodetabek area are required to hold the SIKM. We do the selection process through insulation (at the borders). Those who are able to present the SIKM are allowed to enter and depart, but those, failing to do so, would have to turn around," he expounded.
Head of the DKI Jakarta One-Stop Investment and Integrated Services Office, Beni Aguscandra, made assurance of the SIKM issued by the DKI Jakarta government being forge-proof, as they had taken several precautionary measures to prevent fraudulent activities through the use of unique QR codes that would confirm the permit's originality.
Aguscandra cautioned that those, who nonetheless attempted to forge the permits, would be charged for violation of the Electronic Transactions Law (UU ITE) and liable to face a 12-year jail term.
Up until Wednesday (May 27), the Transportation Office has turned back 6,364 vehicles attempting to enter the area without the required permit.
Related news: Jakarta to quarantine, return entrants unable to present entry permit
Related news: 463 vehicles headed for Central Java forced to turn back EDITED BY INE
Translator: Livia Kristianti/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
