Why are Indonesians Not Allowed to Travel During the Lebaran Break?

Mudik is an Indonesian term that describes migrant or migrant workers returning home to their hometown and connecting with their families. The young ones usually visit the older relatives who are more prone to the covid19 virus. The reunion moment with the loved ones resulting from being separated by time will make a more intimate physical interaction. These interactions can increase the spread of covid 19 even though the carrier is not exhibiting any symptoms.

During the past lebaran, there have been some controversies that Indonesians are not allowed to travel, but the airport is still open for foreigners coming into Indonesia.

So why are foreigners allowed to come to Indonesia ?

When foreigners are travelling to Indonesia, they follow strict protocols and regulations from the airlines, the city they depart and also in Indonesia. Once arrived in Indonesia, the foreigners also have to undergo quarantine for 5 days and get another negative pcr results before they are allowed to be discharged and proceed to their next destination.

Therefore, foreigners travelling to Indonesia are permitted while mudik is not, and foreigners can only enter for business purposes and not travelling.