"This will be our first exodus after (the lifting of) PPKM (public activity restrictions). Therefore, this exodus will be packed with travelers returning to their hometowns," she said in a written statement released on Tuesday.
She also asked the central and regional governments to prepare the best plan in order to ensure the comfort of exodus travelers.
"It needs good cooperation between central and regional governments in dispersing traffic congestion. Do not let there be congestion of vehicles at several prone points," she said.
She also appealed to the central and regional governments to synergize anticipatory measures against a surge in vehicles leaving Jakarta, among others, by preparing traffic engineering at several exit points of the capital.
She said that ahead of Eid, traffic is usually dominated by people traveling to their hometowns in private vehicles. Therefore, the government needs to have a strategy in place to tackle congestion.
Maharani highlighted that all ministries and institutions, including the Transportation Ministry and the National Police (Polri), must synergize well to maintain the comfort and security of exodus travelers by preparing traffic engineering and supporting facilities at exodus posts.
She also asked regional governments to prepare measures to tackle congestion when exodus travelers start to arrive in their regions.
She then urged people to use public transportation such as trains, buses, or ships to prevent a surge in vehicles and traffic congestion on land routes during the exodus period.
She appealed to those planning on using private vehicles for the exodus to prioritize safety and pay attention to the weather forecasts issued by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to anticipate potential weather-related issues.
She also asked people to continue to stay alert against the spread of COVID-19 during the Eid period considering that currently, a rise has been recorded in COVID-19 infections.
She expressed the hope that people will enjoy the Eid holiday period peacefully with their families.
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Translator: Melalusa Susthira, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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