COVID-19 Task Force Head Reaffirms “Mudik” Ban

Head of the COVID-19 National Task Force Doni Monardo delivers statement in a press conference in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/5). Photo by: BNPB

Head of the COVID-19 National Task Force Doni Monardo has issued Circular Number 4 of 2020 on Criteria for Passenger Travel Restriction to Accelerate COVID-19 Handling.

“I reaffirm that there are no changes in mudik ban policy. Mudik is still banned,” Doni said in an official press conference in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/5).

He further said that the background on the issuance of the Circular were a number of issues occurred in several regions, including problems of the COVID-19 handling and problems in health services, repatriation of Indonesians ship crew members and migrant workers, problems of activities related to defense, security and public order, problems in distribution of agricultural products and fish products, and problems for mobility of daily workers.

“The people must have access to high-quality nutrition in order to increase body immunity, so that they can recover quickly from COVID-19, and avoid being exposed to COVID-19,” Doni explained.

Doni went on to say that the exemption from the travel ban is granted for the people involving in the COVID-19 handling, including state officials, employees of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), business institutions, and NGOs. The exemption also applies to family members of a deceased person or family members of a person with critical illness, and repatriation of Indonesian citizens.

There are also a number of conditions that must be fulfilled to those who are exempt from the travel ban. State officials are obliged to obtain a permit from the superior with at least the rank of echelon II, while businessperson whose business is related to the acceleration of the COVID-19 handling must provide a duly duty stamped statement letter signed by village heads or sub-district heads.

In addition, they must have health certificate obtained from doctors of hospital, community health center, or clinics after undergoing a series of examinations including rapid tests and swab tests.

“The activities carried out must obey the strict health protocols, including maintaining a safe distance, using face masks, washing hands, and avoiding touching face,” Doni concluded. (Information Data Center and Public Relations of the BNPB/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana