With Indonesia expected to outlaw the yearly
homecoming exodus ritual next month, authorities in Bali say the province will
beef up security at different points of entry and be prepared to drive away
travelers who violate the prohibitions.
“Mudik is banned during the COVID-19 pandemic for
everyone, especially civil servants because they must set an example for the
public,” I Made Rentin, secretary of Bali’s COVID-19 task force, said.
This tradition, famously known as mudik, coincides
with the Eid al-Fitr holiday and sees about 30 million Indonesians visit their
hometowns annually prior to the pandemic. This year's Eid holiday is set for
May 13 and 14, with a joint leave day on May 12.
“Points
of entry will be guarded with heightened measures. [In Bali] this will be
Ngurah Rai airport, in Gilimanuk [Port], and others,” Rentin said.
Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Coordinating Human
Development and Culture, previously announced that the ban would be in effect
from May 6 to 17, with people strongly urged not to fly outside of their
respective regions prior to and after the mudik ban era. Officials stated that
the decision to ban mudik again this year was made to reduce the chance of
COVID-19 transmission.
There are a few exceptions to the law, according to
Rentin, such as anyone that may attend to urgent issues, such as the death of a
family member. These visitors must bring a letter from village or community
authorities, the local COVID-19 task force, or the hospital where the deceased
was treated. The report must be viewed alongside negative COVID-19 test
findings.
While Muhadjir stated that the ban is in effect
nationally as of May 6, Rentin stated that Bali would begin enforcing it on May
9.
“The
mudik ban is about six to seven days starting from May 9 … if people are
traveling with incomplete documents they will be told to return,” Rentin said.