Gov’t Bans This Year’s Mudik from 6 to 17 May

Press statement after a coordination meeting on mudik policy in 2021, Friday (26/03/2021). (Photo: PR of Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture)

In a bid to anticipate the spike of COVID-19 cases, the Government has decided to ban mudik, the annual mass exodus ahead of Eid al-Fitr, from 6 to 17 May this year.

The decision was made during a coordination meeting led by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy attended by a number of related ministers and heads of agencies at the Office of Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture in Jakarta, Friday (26/03).

According to Muhadjir, the number of COVID-19 cases drastically increase during long holidays, including during Christmas and New Year’s holidays last year, hence the ban.

“Following the President’s directives and the ministerial coordination meeting, mudik is banned this year,” he told the press, while stressing that it applies not only to state civil apparatus (ASN), state-owned enterprise (BUMN) employees, and members of the Indonesian Defense Armed Forces/the Indonesian National Police, but also private employees and the whole Indonesian people.

Muhadjir added that the ban also plays a role in optimizing the benefit of vaccination that has been carried out recently.

However, Muhadjir pointed out that the mass leave for Eid al-Fitr on 12 May 2021 will remain unchanged, while urging the public not to travel or engage in activities that are likely to increase COVID-19 transmission and infection rate.

“I urge the public not to travel unless it is urgent. The mechanism for the mobility of people and goods during Eid al-Fitr season will be managed by the responsible ministries/agencies. As for religious activities during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, they will be regulated by Ministry of Religious Affairs, counseled by the Indonesian Ulema Council and religious organizations,” he said.

Muhadjir also spoke about an exception for the mudik ban, which applies to employees who are on a business trip.

Nevertheless, he added, they must have a letter of assignment signed by at least Echelon II for ASN and BUMN employees or a letter from village head for people who have an urgent matter.

“The urgency will be determined by institutions and companies. The guidelines will be made by Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, company responsibilities will be set forth by Ministry of Manpower, whereas other matters will be regulated by Ministry of Home Affairs,” said Muhadjir.

In the meantime, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini stated that social aids during Eid al-Fitr leave will still be granted on schedule, particularly at the beginning of May, adding that social aids for people in Special Capital Region of Jakarta and its surrounding area will be granted in the first week or at the beginning of the second week of May. (PR of Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture/AIT/UN) (DH/EP)

The official website of Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture can be accessed through this link.