May 14, 2021
Security officers stop a bus at a checkpoint in Indonesia after the government imposed a travel ban earlier this month ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival.
Reuters
As Indonesian authorities turn back thousands of people trying to return to their hometowns for the Eid ul-Fitr festival despite a nationwide interstate travel ban, some have questioned the inflow of foreign workers into the country.
Earlier this month, charter flights from China brought in more than 400 workers to work on infrastructure projects ranging from toll roads to airports and ports in different parts of Indonesia.
Two of them later tested positive for Covid-19 - leading to accusations of government hypocrisy for stopping citizens from travelling domestically for the festival, known as Lebaran or Idul Fitri in Indonesia, that marks the end of Ramadan.