We must made additional preparations
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called for carefully handling preparations for the 2022 Eid al-Fitr homecoming after the government allowed people to travel to their places of origin, with COVID-19 vaccination as one of the requirements.

"All our people want to go home for Eid al-Fitr. We must made additional preparations," Jokowi noted during the plenary cabinet session at the State Palace in Jakarta that was broadcast on Wednesday.

To this end, the president urged the ranks of the National Police (Polri), Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), Transportation Ministry, and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment to coordinate in preparing for the 2022 Eid al-Fitr homecoming right from the route, the potential congestion, as well as anticipating the amassing of vehicles at certain locations.

"The Polri, assisted by the TNI and the minister of transportation, as well as coordinated by the coordinating minister must be fully prepared to minimize congestion on the road. It must be calculated correctly," Jokowi stated.

On March 23, 2022, Jokowi had issued a statement allowing the public to travel to their regions of origin to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with a COVID-19 vaccine booster as a requisite.

On a separate occasion, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin remarked that the prerequisites for COVID-19 vaccination for homecoming trips were deemed necessary as a form of the government's precautionary measures.

"The government remains cautious. We are still allowed to perform Ramadan prayer and go home for Eid al-Fitr. However, we must also complete the booster vaccination dose," he emphasized.

Sadikin also explained that people, who had recently received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, must attach the results of the negative PCR test that is valid for 3x24 hours prior to traveling home.

Those who received the second dose only need to attach the results of their negative antigen test valid for a day or negative PCR test valid for 3x24 hours.

"Those who have received a complete booster vaccine do not need any tests for homecoming," he added.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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