"I discourage you from performing homecoming in year-end holiday, and you must refrain yourself from purchasing a travel ticket," Effendy said during a working visit to Surakarta, Central Java, on Wednesday.
The government will reimpose strict travel and activity restrictions for the year-end holidays to prevent a surge in COVID-19 transmission during the period, he informed.
"It is likely that we will reimpose the restriction similar to last year's arrangement. No resentment must be harbored as the enforcement is for the sake of public health," he said.
Related news: Government to limit public mobility during year-end holidays
The government has also issued a circular to annul two collective leave days reserved for Christmas and New Year and prohibited civil servants from taking leave during the period to suppress public mobility, the coordinating minister disclosed.
"Both Christmas and New Year days will fall on Saturdays, and no extra leave would be allocated during the period," Effendy said.
The authorities are committed to taking the necessary steps to prevent a third COVID-19 wave from occurring during the year-end holiday period, he added.
"Despite the recent improvement in the infection rate, we must deter from complacency and remain vigilant," the coordinating minister stressed.
Effendy warned that unadjusted collective leave and unrestricted public mobility could cause a rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly since several countries in the world are currently tackling a new wave of infections.
"We know that almost all European countries have reported an increase in COVID-19 infections, as well as the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore that was earlier lauded for exemplary pandemic and infection handling," Effendy pointed out.
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Translator: Aris Wasita, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
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