travelers defying mudik ban will be turned away - bali officials

With Indonesia expected to outlaw the yearly homecoming exodus ritual next month, authorities in Bali say the province will beef up security at different points of entry and be prepared to drive away travelers who violate the prohibitions.

“Mudik is banned during the COVID-19 pandemic for everyone, especially civil servants because they must set an example for the public,” I Made Rentin, secretary of Bali’s COVID-19 task force, said.

This tradition, famously known as mudik, coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday and sees about 30 million Indonesians visit their hometowns annually prior to the pandemic. This year's Eid holiday is set for May 13 and 14, with a joint leave day on May 12.

“Points of entry will be guarded with heightened measures. [In Bali] this will be Ngurah Rai airport, in Gilimanuk [Port], and others,” Rentin said. 

Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Coordinating Human Development and Culture, previously announced that the ban would be in effect from May 6 to 17, with people strongly urged not to fly outside of their respective regions prior to and after the mudik ban era. Officials stated that the decision to ban mudik again this year was made to reduce the chance of COVID-19 transmission.

There are a few exceptions to the law, according to Rentin, such as anyone that may attend to urgent issues, such as the death of a family member. These visitors must bring a letter from village or community authorities, the local COVID-19 task force, or the hospital where the deceased was treated. The report must be viewed alongside negative COVID-19 test findings.

While Muhadjir stated that the ban is in effect nationally as of May 6, Rentin stated that Bali would begin enforcing it on May 9.

“The mudik ban is about six to seven days starting from May 9 … if people are traveling with incomplete documents they will be told to return,” Rentin said.