By: Indah Juliantari) *
Homecoming in 2021 is still prohibited, just like last year. This is to prevent transmission of the covid-19 virus. People are asked to be patient and spend Eid at home. Instead of being desperate to return to my hometown, then languishing because of the corona.
In a few days we will enter the month of Ramadan and will be followed by Eid. Homecoming has become a habit for Indonesians ahead of Eid al-Fitr. Because they can return to their hometown in a rather long duration (about a week) and offer to their parents in the village.
However, in 2021 the government will prohibit people from going home. This decision is the same as in 2020, because we are still in the grip of a pandemic. Coordinating Minister for PMK Muhdjir Effendy stated that the ban on going home will be enforced from May 6 to 17, 2021. This happened to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus due to the high mobility of the community.
We are asked not to be disappointed because the Covid-19 pandemic is not over. The prohibition of going home does not mean that the government is acting viciously, rather as a way to pay attention to the health of its people. Rather than after returning home, he was actually hit by the corona and could not work for 14 days (during independent isolation). Better prevent than to cure, is not it?
Spokesperson for the Covid Task Force, doctor Wiku Adisasmito, stated that this ban was enforced after reflecting on the previous long holiday. Where the corona transmission rate is always high after the long weekend. Instead of the number of Covid-19 patients continuing to increase after the 2021 Eid homecoming, it’s better to prohibit going home.
The police are on standby on toll roads and borders between regions, to keep out people who are desperate to go home. They were given sanctions in the form of an obligation to make a U-turn to their home area. Don’t outsmart by looking for mouse roads or other alternative roads, because it’s the same, there are many officers on guard to help prohibit Eid homecoming.
Likewise, the homecoming mode before May 6 or after May 17, will still be prohibited. Even the guard is also at the bus terminal, station, etc. The community hopes to understand this strict prohibition, so that they obey the rules and are sincere not to return to their hometown this year.
This prohibition also applies to local aliases in cities / areas that are close to it (for example in Jabodetabek). Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi stated that he was consistent in implementing the ban on going home. In the near future, the Ministry of Transportation will soon release a Minister of Transportation Regulation on transportation control during Eid al-Fitr 2021.
Why are the rules so strict? Because the number of corona patients is still quite high, reaching 4,000 people per day. Do not let there be a spike in the transmission of the covid-19 virus so that more people get sick. Moreover, corona has mutated into several types, making it more dangerous.
If you are desperate to find a path for mice to go home, remember the medical personnel who are struggling at the hospital. They sacrifice their own safety to treat corona patients and have a high potential for infection (because working hours exceed shifts). If many people get the Covid-19 virus after going home, health care will be confused because the patient room is always full.
It is better for us to be sincere and pray for Eid at home. If you miss your parents in the village, you can call or video call. With technological sophistication, homesickness can be erased. They also understand that if their children do not go home, it does not mean that they are not affectionate. But they are following the government’s recommendation.
The 2021 homecoming ban is surprising, but people are being asked to stick with it. It’s better for Eid at home. Instead of being desperate to go home and get corona or transmit the covid-19 virus to your beloved parents. Be patient and when the pandemic is over, we can all go back home.
) * The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute