By: Deka Prawira)*
State Civil Apparatus (ASN) is strictly prohibited from taking leave adjacent to national holidays. There is also a red date that is shifted by a day, so that it is not misused to get extra leave. All of this is done in order to reduce community mobility and hopefully reduce the number of Corona patients.
The 5M health protocol consists of wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, and most importantly reducing mobility. There are still people who are still stubborn by traveling here and there without any important purpose. Even though mass mobility has been proven to increase the number of Corona patients.
It is proven that after the Eid holiday, the number of Covid patients rose from 8,000 to 12,000 people per day. This is a sad thing because if many are sick it is feared that many will lose their lives. So the government firmly implements micro PPKM again and shifts the red date, and prohibits ASN from taking leave near holidays.
The agreement for changes to national holidays and collective leave is stated in the Decree of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Manpower, Minister of PAN and Brocratic Reform, number 712, 1, and 3 of 2021 concerning National Holidays and Joint Leave.
The national holiday that has been shifted is the Islamic New Year holiday of 1433 Hijriyah, originally from August 10 (Tuesday) it was shifted to August 11 (Wednesday). Meanwhile, the joint leave that was removed was December 24.
This shift and abolition of holidays was also accompanied by a prohibition for ASN to apply for leave close to holidays. Why should ASN? Because they are state servants, they must obey state rules. It is hoped that civilians will follow in the footsteps of the ASN because most of them are role models in society. So, the government should be appreciated for doing tricks to get everyone to obey the rules.
So, when Eid al-Adha 2021 later, ASN may not apply for leave a few days before or after. Likewise, ahead of the Islamic New Year holiday, leave is also strictly prohibited. If any ASN is reckless, sanctions will await, depending on the type of violation. This is not torture, but it should be appreciated, because the government pays attention to the health of its people and does not want them to get Corona while traveling.
The ban on leave is intended so that no one takes advantage of it for going home, because during Eid yesterday it was not allowed to go home, so it was replaced with the moment of Eid al-Adha. Not cruel, but this prohibition is precisely for their own safety. Because the Corona case is rising drastically, so the movement of mass people when going home will make the situation worse.
Likewise with ASN and civilians who want to travel by taking advantage of tight days (Monday 9 August 2021). They can’t take time off like they used to. Because it is feared that they will take a vacation out of town, because there are 4 holidays (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday).
If the holiday is shifted to Wednesday, it is impossible to take Monday and Tuesday off at the same time, because permission will never be given during the pandemic. The head of service and head of office must act decisively and refuse any request for leave for their employees. Instead of being allowed to go home and enter the office again while carrying the Covid-19 virus, then transmit it to all colleagues.
The ban on leave and shifts in red dates should be appreciated because the government wants the situation to be under control. Do not even violate it intentionally, because this prohibition is for the sake of mutual security. The pandemic is getting crazier and we should just stay at home.
Don’t complain when you fail to take long leave for vacation because there is still time for traveling or going home, later when the pandemic is over. Precisely now we want the pandemic to end quickly by not traveling far and obeying health protocols.
)* The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute
