COVID-19 Cases Soar in Provinces of ‘Mudik’ Destination

The Idul Fitri mudik (exodus) tradition has led to an increase in COVID-19 cases in destination provinces. Similar incidents after long holidays need to be anticipated in the future.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

A pickup truck crosses the full Covid-19 special cemetery at TPU Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, Tuesday (25/5/2021). Active cases and deaths due to Covid-19 increased after the Idul Fitri  holiday along with the increase in citizen mobility and the emergence of new variants.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the last few days is believed to be the impact of the Idul Fitri holidays. This phenomenon interrupts the decreasing trend that has been showing in the last few months. More evaluation is needed to ensure that long holidays will not trigger a spike in cases in the future.

Based on Kompas\' calculation, until the third week after Idul Fitri, there was an increase of 3,704 cases (10.1 percent) compared to weekly cases before Idul Fitri. This figure is not believed to be the peak of the impact of Idul Fitri. By comparison, the peak of the post-Christmas-New Year\'s holiday occurred about one month after the last day of the holiday.