(Hence) use them (the rest areas) as necessary, such as for buying food or going to the toilet; do not sleep or linger.
Semarang, C Java (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK), Muhadjir Effendy, on Monday appealed to Eid al-Fitr travelers to be considerate of other travelers while halting in the rest areas along toll roads.

"If you are tired, please take a rest in the rest area, but not too long because other travelers also have the right to use the rest area," he said at Kalikangkung Toll Gate here on Monday.

He further said that he understood that the rest areas were established as places where drivers can rest for a long time, however, that can only be possible if the traffic is not as crowded as during the Eid al-Fitr exodus period.

“(Hence) use them (the rest areas) as necessary, such as for buying food or going to the toilet; do not sleep or linger," the minister emphasized.

He then appealed to travelers to rest at the various resorts located on the exit of the toll road or along the alternative exodus routes instead.

"If you are really tired, you should exit (the highway) from the nearest toll gate, then take a short break or have a culinary tour,” he suggested.

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Effendy said that travelers will not be charged when they return to the highway later from the same toll gate after resting.

Furthermore, he asked travelers not to stop and rest in the breakdown lane as that could endanger themselves and other travelers.

He inaugurated the start of the one-way traffic scheme for the Eid al-Fitr return flow at Kalikangkung Toll Gate, Semarang city, Central Java, at 2:45 p.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB) on Monday.

The traffic scheme was planned to be carried out towards Cikampek Toll Gate, West Java province, until midnight the day.

However, the schedule could change depending on the situation in the ground.

"Later, there may be adjustments from traffic police. We expect that this one-way returning flow policy can run smoothly," the coordinating minister added.

The government has set the joint leave period for the 1444 Hijri Eid al-Fitr from April 19 to April 25. Meanwhile, the Religious Affairs Ministry announced that the Islamic holy day would be observed in Indonesia on April 22 this year.

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Translator: Fianda Rassat, Uyu Liman
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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