Minister Of Religion Issues Rules, Limits Christmas Worship Capacity To 50 Percent, Uses PeduliProtect Applications

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion issued a circular letter on the prevention and control of COVID-19 during the Christmas celebration as stated in the SE. 31 of 2021 and signed by the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

This circular was issued in order to prevent, cope with, and break the chain of the spread of COVID-19 in churches while at the same time providing a sense of security and comfort to the community during Christmas celebrations.

"The circular is issued as a guide for Christians who will hold Christmas worship and celebrations in their respective houses of worship while still adhering to health protocols, especially in the context of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the public from the risk of its impact," said Minister of Religion Yaqut in a written statement. quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 2.

The Minister of Religion emphasized that the implementation of core religious activities and Christmas celebrations in places of worship must be carried out by enforcing policies in accordance with the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Level 3.

The church is obliged to form a task force (Satgas) for handling COVID-19 health protocols in coordination with the Regional COVID-19 Handling Task Force.

The implementation of Christmas worship and celebrations should be carried out in a simple and not excessive manner, and emphasize more on fellowship in the midst of the family.

The Ministry of Religion recommends that Christmas celebrations be held in open spaces. If it is carried out in a church, it will be held in a hybrid way, namely in congregation/collectively at the church and online with the worship service that has been prepared by the church administrators and administrators.

Then the number of people who can take part in worship activities and Christmas celebrations in congregation/collectively does not exceed 50 percent of the room's capacity or 50 people.

On the other hand, church administrators and administrators are required to provide officers to inform and supervise the implementation of health procedures, provide temperature checking devices at the entrance for all church users, and carry out body temperature checks for each congregation using body temperature measuring devices.

Managers/caretakers must also provide hand sanitizers and facilities for washing hands using soap with running water at the entrances and exits of the church, conducting regular cleaning and disinfection in the church area.

Then use the PeduliLindung application when entering and leaving the church and only those with the yellow and green categories are allowed to enter. The administrator/manager regulates the flow of congregational mobility and the entrance and exit of the church in order to facilitate the implementation and supervision of health protocols.

The circular also states that the implementation of the sermon must meet the provisions that pastors, priests, or clergy are required to wear masks and face shields properly and correctly, and remind the congregation to always maintain health and comply with health protocols.

"It is forbidden to conduct parades or processions in the context of Christmas celebrations involving a large number of participants," said the Minister of Religion.