Healthy and Safe ‘Mudik’

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Homecoming motorbikes through the rain at the Jakarta-Bekasi border on Jalan Kalimalang, East Jakarta, Wednesday (27/4/2022). A survey conducted by the Transportation Research and Development Agency in March 2022 showed the high public interest in using motorbikes for mudik this year. There are at least 16.9 million people who will go home using motorbikes. Homecoming using a motorbike is not recommended because it is prone to accidents.

The government estimates that 79 million people will go on mudik (exodus) this year for Idul Fitri, also called Lebaran. In order to avoid an explosion of Covid-19 cases, it is important that travelers prepare well and give thought to the purpose of their journey to their hometowns.

The estimated number of mudik travelers citizens is three times the pre-pandemic figure of 23 million in 2019. An unforeseen hiatus of two years has led to people coming out in droves to journey back to their hometowns to visit and celebrate the holiday with family. Furthermore, the government has officially declared an extended holiday.

The number of Covid-19 cases has continued to decline in recent days in a number of regions across the archipelago. Nationwide, there were only 576 confirmed Covid-19 cases (Kompas, 26/4/2022). A month before that on Saturday, 26 March, the country had recorded 4,189 cases, a significant drop from 46,643 cases on Saturday, 26 Feb.

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The eased public activity restrictions (PPKM) has significantly boosted people’s enthusiasm for resuming social activities, including gathering together to break their fast. Many visited the cemetery to honor their ancestors ahead of Ramadan, as is customary.

However, our excitement should not lead to a lapse in our vigilance. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not lifted the pandemic status. The caseload of many countries still remains very high as a result of low vaccination rates. This means that the virus is still hanging around and infecting the vulnerable.

We should be grateful for the improved conditions in Indonesia. First-dose vaccination has reached 199,113,714 doses (95.61 percent), the second dose 164,338,853 (78.91 percent), and the third or booster dose 36,061,373 (17.32 percent). It appears that herd immunity is contributing to bring down the transmission rate, but of course, people are still advised to comply with the health protocols.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Traffic flows to Java on the Palimanan-Kanci Toll Road, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Wednesday (27/4/2022). The Traffic Police Corps and the Ministry of Transportation have implemented a trial of the odd-even vehicle system for the homecoming flow to Java from Monday to Wednesday. On Wednesday, this policy applies from Km 47 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road to Km 414 GT Kalikangkung.

We appreciate the government's decision to allow people to go on mudik, with certain requirements. People who are fully vaccinated and have received their third dose may travel without having to be tested for the virus. Those who are fully vaccinated but are yet to received their third dose must present a negative result from an antigen test, while the unvaccinated must present a negative result from a PCR test. This is part of the restrictions and incentives (stick and carrot) that must be implemented.

However, more needs to be done to support the travel measures. Vaccines must be easily accessible by establishing as many vaccination posts as possible, particularly on popular mudik routes, and with minimal requirements for potential recipients. This way, the public will feel eager to participate.

On the other hand, this is the time for local administrations to take an active role in ensuring that the health protocols are followed. The management of mosques needs to make arrangements for receiving congregational worshipers for both tarawih and the Idul Fitri prayer, such as maintaining distance and wearing masks.

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Likewise, malls, restaurants, and public attractions, which are typical holiday destinations after prayer and family gatherings, must heed the health protocol. Sanctions should be imposed on those who break the rules.

The antigen test rate still needs to be increased as part of the mitigation effort with the support of Puskesmas (community health centers), hospitals, and other health facilities as a measure to anticipate an increase in Covid-19 infections.

Local administrations play a key role in efforts to mitigate a potential explosion in new infections following the movement of large numbers of people.

We wish travelers a healthy and safe journey, and the same for the people they will be visiting in their hometowns.

This article was translated by Musthofid.