Correlation between local eid-al-fitr homecoming (Mudik) with coronavirus disease-19 during ramadhan season amidst large-scale social distancing in indonesia

BACKGROUND: In anticipation of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19’s transmission peak, Eid-al-Fitr homecoming (mudik) has officially been banned by the Indonesian government interlocal but not local in welcoming this religious Muslim celebration. This local Mudik is held by traveling among regional provinces and is still allowed by each local government, including Java, which has the highest transmission of COVID-19 in Indonesia. AIM: This study aims to present the difference between COVID-19 status before and during local Mudik on Java during Ramadhan with the implementation of large-sale social distancing applied in Jakarta, Indonesia. METHODS: This research was employed by secondary data analysis that was obtained from surveillance data from related authorities, including the Ministry of Health and all local governments of Java, which consisted of four provinces and Jakarta. Incidence and suspect statuses of COVID-19, which were examined in the study, were presented in daily rates with before and during local Mudik in four provinces: Jawa Barat, Yogyakarta, Banten, and Jawa Tengah. RESULTS: The number of positive confirmed patients differed significantly with before and during local Mudik (p < 0.05; mean difference = −/negative values). CONCLUSION: This study’s findings showed that the local Mudik increased the number of COVID-19 cases in four provinces in Java, which these provinces were designated as Mudik destinations by travelers coming from Jakarta during the end of Ramadhan season.