The Reason The Bandung Cathedral Church Does Not Decorate A 16 Meter High Christmas Tree

JAKARTA - The St. Peter's Cathedral in Bandung, West Java, during this year's Christmas Day celebration did not decorate the church with a Christmas tree. Usually the Christmas tree is the area for the congregation's selfie. This was done in an effort to prevent crowds in order to minimize the risk of transmitting COVID-19.

"The 16 meter tall Christmas tree that was always present decorating the church yard before Christmas Day was eliminated," said the Head of the Social Communication Section of the Cathedral Church of St. Petrus Ceacilia Amanda in Bandung, as reported by Antara, Thursday, December 24.

"This year the Cathedral Church also did not put up tents in the church yard as usual," he added.

In addition, the church limits congregants who attend Christmas services to a maximum of 30 percent of the capacity of the worship room.

The prayer room of the Bandung Cathedral Church can accommodate around 1,000 people. However, church administrators limit the number of people attending worship activities to a maximum of 230 in order to minimize the risk of transmission of the corona virus.

In addition to holding face-to-face worship activities, Ceacilia Amanda explained, the church also broadcasts the worship process online to reach congregants who cannot attend church services.

Church administrators try to ensure health protocols in the implementation of worship activities in the church.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Police, Kombes Pol Ulung Sampurna Jaya, said that in the Bandung City area there are around 150 churches and only 34 of them hold face-to-face Christmas services.

"And it still uses health protocols, even if entry is checked," said Ulung.