With Indonesia set to ban the annual homecoming exodus tradition next month, officials in Bali province ready to turn away travelers who defy the restrictions.
Officials in Bali province also decide to step up security measures at various ports of entry.
I Made Rentin, secretary of Bali’s COVID-19 task force, said that mudik is banned during the COVID-19 pandemic for everyone.
“Especially for civil servants, they must set an example for the public. Points of entry will be guarded with heightened measures. In Bali] this will be Ngurah Rai airport, in Gilimanuk Port, and others.”
Known as mudik, this tradition coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday and sees around 30 million Indonesians visiting their hometowns annually before the pandemic.
This year’s Eid holiday is expected to fall on May 13 and 14, with a collective leave day scheduled for May 12, 2021.
Officials said the decision to ban mudik again this year is to curb potential risks to COVID-19 transmission.
According to Rentin, there are few exceptions to the rule, such as those who have to attend to urgent matters, including the death of a family member.
These travelers must carry with them a letter from either village or neighborhood officials, the local COVID-19 task force, or the hospital where the deceased was treated. The document must be presented alongside negative results from a COVID-19 test.
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