Monitoring A Number Of Churches In Gresik Ahead Of Christmas, Police Chief Mochamad Nur Praises The Strict Prokes

GRESIK - Gresik Police Chief AKBP Mochamad Nur Azis monitored a number of churches to see their readiness ahead of the 2021 Christmas celebrations. The 2022 Christmas and New Year celebrations are the serious attention of the ranks because they are still being carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In addition to ensuring the conduciveness of security and social security and anticipating disturbances, we want the implementation of health protocols to be visible from the entrance to the church area," he explained in Gresik, Antara, Monday, December 20.

He emphasized that the implementation of the health protocol was carried out by setting up a handwashing area, limiting sitting distance, and implementing the CareLindung application barcode.

"As is known, the new variant of COVID-19 has entered Indonesia, this needs to be watched out for. So that public awareness is also needed to stay alert and not ignore it," he said.

On that occasion, Nur Azis visited the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) in Kebomas District and the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Gresik City area.

"It is very good and ready to welcome Christmas worship. Including limiting the congregation who will carry out worship later," he said.

The 2002 Akpol alumnus hoped that the public would not have to celebrate Christmas and New Year's 2022 excessively, and that the Gresik Police together with a joint team of TNI and Satpol PP would tighten measures at several points, including closing places that could potentially cause crowds.

"In security, we will also involve internal members of the church. This step is to anticipate suspicious foreign congregations, especially from radical groups," said Azis, who is also the former Ponorogo Police Chief.

The administrator of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Silas Wayan Eka, said that the worship service will only be for those who have undergone vaccinations. "This church is actually able to accommodate up to 1,200 worshippers. However, we limited it and only attended about 300 worshipers," he said.

He hopes that this year's Christmas will be a momentum in increasing religious tolerance, and as a symbol of rising against the pandemic.