Inni, 170,000 Military and Police Deployed to Enforce Ramadan Homecoming Ban to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Indonesian government will deploy approximately 170,000 police officers and soldiers to prevent people from returning home due to Ramadan, which begins on the 24th.

According to local media such as Antara News on the 23rd, the Indonesian government will deploy about 171,000 military and police personnel to stop Indonesians from returning home after the Ramadan period ends.

Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono announced, "The crackdown on violations of the homecoming ban will begin at midnight on the 24th and continue for one week after the end of Ramadan."

Ramadan refers to the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, during which fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset for a month. Indonesians usually enjoy a Lebaran holiday of more than 10 days immediately after Ramadan ends and visit their hometowns, but this year, returning home is prohibited due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Originally, the Indonesian military and police conduct security operations for the holiday from one week before the end of Ramadan through the Lebaran period, but this year, the operation will start simultaneously with the beginning of Ramadan.

Spokesperson Argo added, "Checkpoints will be set up at 2,582 major homecoming routes, mainly on the densely populated island of Java, and medical tents for doctors and nurses will also be prepared," adding, "We will not completely block the roads."

In the Jakarta metropolitan area, 19 checkpoints will be established, including three highway entrances and exits, and the operation of private cars, motorcycles, and buses will be blocked except for the transportation of essential personnel such as logistics and finance workers.

Meanwhile, Jakarta, which was the first in Indonesia to implement large-scale social restrictions to block COVID-19, extended the application period from the original two weeks (April 10?24) by an additional four weeks until May 22. This is due to the daily increase of 200 to 300 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Indonesia’s cumulative confirmed cases stand at 7,018, with 635 deaths.