Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr: Population movement, mass gathering and escalating of COVID-19 – A perspective from Indonesia

Dian Sidik Arsyad (Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Tamalanrea, Makassar, Indonesia)
Firzan Nainu (Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University, Tamalanrea, Makassar, Indonesia)
Abram L. Wagner (Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA)
Kuldeep Dhama (Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Trends in Infection and Global Health
Vol 1, No 1 (2021): June 2021

In Indonesia, the most populous Moslem-majority country, despite the possibility of underreported coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, 6,248 confirmed cases and 535 deaths have been recorded. With upcoming Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, between 18-23 million of Indonesians may move from urban locations (with high counts of COVDI-19) to rural areas with fewer cases currently but less laboratory capacity to diagnose cases. This review summaries the current situation of CO.VID-19 in Indonesia and discusses the possible impacts of mass population movement, Ramadan-related activities, and Eid al-Fitr celebration days on COVID-19 transmission in the country.