COVID-19 Task Force: Mobility, Crowds to be Monitored More Strictly

COVID-19 Task Force has urged regional governments to improve monitoring system at regency or city level as the basis to determine policies on essential sectors’ operation in neighborhoods/hamlets.

According to the task force, the measure is crucial as there is a tendency of increased mobility ahead of Eid al-Fitr that is likely to worsen COVID-19 transmission risks despite the mudik (exodus around the time of Eid) ban that has been in place.

“The basis to carry out activities at community level must correspond to Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs Number 10 of 2021. It is important that the Central Government and regional governments have coherent orders and narrations so the governments’ task to translate policies in the field can go as expected,” Expert Team Coordinator and Spokesperson of COVID-19 Handling Task Force Wiku Adisasmito said, Tuesday (11/05).

Wiku added that the Government has banned mudik to prevent a spike in cases that often occurs following long holidays and to control mobility in many cities / regencies that are interconnected, known as agglomeration area, so COVID-19 cases can be managed and prevented more effectively.

“Principally, visits are a tradition and a form of the people’s prayers whose right needs to be guaranteed. However, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the method should be adjusted to virtual visits to prevent transmissions to the family in our hometown,” Wiku said, adding that visits during Eid is essential and it is a momentum to put an end to longing of their family who lives far away in their hometown.

“However, virtual visits do not reduce the essence of physical visits by the least bit. In fact, virtual visits are a form of protecting our family in our hometown,” he remarked.

Wiku expressed hope that the people can learn to hold back their desires as Ramadan (the Islamic fasting month) has taught them and continue to do so although Ramadan is over.

Therefore, he urged the public to be patient and delay their mudik plan, adding that Eid can be celebrated as it was before in 2022 if the policy is fully supported by the public.

Wiku also said that the Government has ensured that essential sectors can operate with strict health protocols.

Meanwhile, based on a limited meeting led by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, he added, tourist destinations in Red and Orange Zones are forbidden to operate, whereas those in Yellow and Green Zones can operate with a limited number of visitors, a maximum 50 percent of the capacity.

Wiku further said this decision shows the Government’s commitment to make the right decisions to control COVID-19 and rebuild the economy for the good of the public.

“Besides, the management of tourist destinations in Yellow and Green Zones must also coordinate with the task force in their region to ensure that visitors observe health protocols,” Wiku said, adding that chartered flights are not allowed to operate during the period of mudik ban. (Communication Team of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee/UN) (DH/EP)