Risk intelligence (18/02/2021) - Indonesia Covid-19 prevention measures
Our risk intelligence specialists, led by Ian BETTS, take a 24/7 coverage approach to local, regional and global emerging threats and occurrences. Below is a small sample of our reporting, and you can discuss gaining comprehensive material through our risk intelligence function, and by using our 247 App.
INDONESIA GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SHORTEN IDUL FITRI HOLIDAY, AMID CONCERN ABOUT SPREAD OF COVID-19
The government is considering a move to shorten collective leave for Idul Fitri amid concern that it could lead to another spike in COVID-19 transmission. Idul Fitri is due to fall on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 May 2021, with collective leave scheduled for Wednesday 12 May and 17 to 19 May the following week.
Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo said that the ministry has proposed to shorten the leave period. Kumolo said that all civil servants, employees of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), police and military (TNI) personnel will be prohibited from travelling outside their areas of residence for the holiday. The ministry will also prepare sanctions for those who violate health protocols.
Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said that a number of ministries and agencies will meet next week to decide the collective leave policy for this year to prevent potentially high levels of mobility.
Legislators in the House of Representatives (DPR) have also called on the government to shorten all collective leave this year and introduce strict measures to control mobility between regions.
Hill & Associates Assessment (Indonesia)
The government has not imposed tough mobility restrictions at any stage of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the economic impact, and short of significant measures being implemented for Idul Fitri, millions of people are expected to participate in the mass exodus to their hometowns known as ‘mudik.’
The homecoming journeys are an important annual tradition for millions of Muslims in Indonesia. An estimated 33 million people took part in the 2019 exodus, and in Jakarta it is estimated that around 2.5 million people leave the capital during the fasting month of Ramadan prior to Idul Fitri.
Last year, the government banned travel two weeks before Idul Fitri, a move that was criticised by public health experts because hundreds of thousands of people had already departed. Thousands left major cities during Ramadan last year after being laid off or forced to take unpaid leave.
The move to shorten collective leave around several public holidays last year failed to reduce high levels of mobility, particularly between Java and Bali. Health authorities in a number of provinces, including Jakarta, West and Central Java, have consistently recorded a surge in COVID-19 cases following holiday periods, with most cases found among people who had returned from other regions.
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin has already called on people not to make travel plans for Ramadan and Idul Fitri this year.
Sadikin warned that the annual exodus could result in a 40 percent increase in COVID-19 cases.