Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has declared April 29 and May 4, 5, 6, 2022, as collective leave days for the Eid al-Fitr period, which will fall on May 2-3.
“The government has decided that Eid al-Fitr 1443 H days will be on May 2-3, 2022, and collective leave days for the Eid al-Fitr period will be on April 29, and May 4, 5, 6, 2022,” the President said in an online press statement, issued from the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Wednesday.
A detailed regulation on collective leave will be issued by the relevant ministries, he added.
He said that residents can utilize the collective leave period to go home and meet parents, families, and relatives in their hometowns.
The President also reminded residents that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet and asked them to remain vigilant against COVID-19 by maintaining discipline in following the health protocols.
“We need to remain vigilant (against COVID-19). Take your COVID-19 booster vaccine right away, remain disciplined in observing the health protocols, and continue wearing masks in public places and while in crowds,” Widodo said.
The government has projected that up to 85 million residents will leave for their hometowns during the Eid al-Fitr homecoming period on the collective leave days, and 47 percent of all trips will be undertaken using private vehicles, he noted.
Up to 14 million residents are also projected to leave the Greater Jakarta area, the President added.
“The government will exert their effort in providing optimized services to ensure travelers can travel safely and comfortably (during the homecoming period),” he said.
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Earlier, the government had announced that a booster vaccine will be required for homecoming trips during Eid al-Fitr, with residents who have received the vaccine booster free to travel without COVID-19 test certificates.
“Those who have received their COVID-19 booster vaccine are free to travel without further COVID-19 testing,” Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said.
Residents who have received only their first vaccine dose will be required to provide a COVID-19 PCR test certificate obtained at least three days before travel, while residents who have received their second vaccine dose will need to provide the results of either a COVID-19 PCR test or a COVID-19 antigen test performed one day before travel.
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