By: Xeraphine Siwi )*
The Indonesian government continues to make various efforts to the maximum by considering various scenarios and policies to break the chain of the spread of the corona virus or Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) for the safety and security of the entire community. The government cannot stand alone in these efforts, but requires support and cooperation from all parties, including not going home, because the flow of going home to regions in Indonesia will make handling the Covid-19 virus more difficult.
Eid homecoming is a tradition, ahead of the Eid al-Fitr which is very much awaited by many people. In Indonesia, going home is identical with the movement of millions of people, especially from urban to rural areas to gather with families in the framework of friendship. However, with the current situation, going home becomes a problem in the midst of the Corona Virus Outbreak because it involves health and even human lives.
So far, the call to not going home is still in the form of appeals and directives, but the government is regulating government regulations (PP) related to the 2011 Lebaran homecoming policy. Appeals not to go home, can save many people, and prevent the increasing epicenter area of Covid-19, due to virus transmission Corona will be faster if people do not do social distancing or physical distancing properly.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin revealed that the government appealed to the public not to carry out homecoming because it would expand the distribution of the Corona Virus to various regions in Indonesia. Moreover, the flow back and forth from Jakarta, which is currently the epicenter of this virus.
In Islam, continued Ma’ruf, it is taught that when doing something that can be believed to cause danger to himself or others, then it is prohibited by religion, and even tends to be forbidden.
To support this appeal, Ma’ruf said the government had made several efforts, such as removing the free homecoming program, to preparing social assistance for those who were forced to cancel going home.
Appeals to not return home during the Lebaran season this year were also voiced by two large Islamic organizations, namely NU and Muhammadiyah.
PB NU Tanfidziyah Daily Chief Executive Robikin Emhas said the corona virus is dangerous because of the speed of its spread and the symptoms that could be undetected by infected people making them carriers and unknowingly spreading the virus to other places and people. According to him, a Muslim must be fair and proportional, both in terms of creed, worship, and muamalah.
In line with Robikin, Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu’ti said, the essence of friendship is to pray for one another, share the joys and sorrows, and help ease the burden or problem. In certain situations, for example due to circumstances, distances, and opportunities, it can be done in different ways, both using the media of letters, electronic mail (e-mail), telephone, video calls, and other ways. In Islamic teachings, he continued, saving lives is far more important than carrying out traditions that carry safety risks.
Considering that the Corona outbreak is at the level of a health emergency, the community is expected to be wise. Preferably, going home is postponed first until conditions return conducive. Remember! This virus is not a joke, Indonesian people must unite, be self-conscious, improve, jointly fight for the country against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Forcing yourself to go home can actually endanger yourself and others, including your family. We never know that in the middle of the journey to our hometown, physical contact with people exposed to Covid-19 may occur, or vice versa, we unconsciously carry the virus in ourselves and infect others.
It is also possible for families in the village, self-concern will come the arrival of family or relatives, especially from the plague area. However, when travelers want to meet with families, especially parents, without realizing that they are very vulnerable to contracting the virus.
We must apply a culture of discipline by staying where we are. This will greatly help the government limit the spread of Covid-19. Movement of humans in large numbers such as going home has the potential to increase the spread of this virus. Of course, we long to be able to return home. But more importantly, let us keep our families and our hometowns healthy by not making long trips, let alone going home. Protect Yourself and Family, Don’t Go Home
*) Social and cultural observer