Central Kalimantan Governor Issues Circular Letter To Eliminate Christmas Celebrations, Regional Secretary: Don't Misinterpret

PALANGKA RAYA - The Acting Regional Secretary of Central Kalimantan Province, Nuryakin, asked the public not to misinterpret the governor's letter on preventing the spread of COVID-19 addressed to regents and mayors regarding the cancellation of Christmas-New Year celebrations.

The letter is an effort to anticipate the emergence of new clusters of COVID-19, including Christmas 2021, and welcoming the new year 2022, said Acting Secretary of Regional Secretary Nuryakin.

"In regards to the celebration of Christmas 2021 and welcoming the new year of 2022, we emphasize that we should not misinterpret the governor's letter," he stressed, quoted by Antara, Friday, October 29.

He explained, the purpose of point six of the letter is to abolish the 2021 Christmas celebrations and to eliminate the 2022 new year celebrations that are not in accordance with the provisions of the health protocols that have been regulated.

"When we talk about celebrations, the assumption is that it is a big activity and there are a lot of people there, and of course the crowd can't be avoided because the numbers are large. What needs to be understood is the difference between worship and celebration,” explained Nuryakin.

He conveyed that there is an Inmendagri Number 54 of 2021 concerning Level 3, 2, and 1 of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), in which restrictions on community activities have been regulated. These arrangements include the Level 3 PPKM, it is stated that 50 percent of community activities in public areas are allowed to operate.

Then the implementation of worship in places of worship a maximum of 50 percent of the normal capacity. Similar to the regulation of activities in Level 2 PPKM areas, it has its own limiting rules.

For areas with Level 2 PPKM implementation, the implementation of worship is determined by zoning, for green zones, 75 percent of capacity can be carried out, yellow zones are 50 percent, while orange zones are 25 percent of capacity.

Meanwhile, community activities in public areas in the green zone have a maximum capacity of 50 percent, while in the yellow and orange zones, a maximum of 25 percent.

"We hope that all elements of society can carry out existing regulations and always adhere to health protocols, especially the euphoric attitude of the COVID-19 case situation which has begun to sag," he explained.

According to him, this is in line with the appeal of the GKE Synod Assembly, so that Christmas worship and celebrations are carried out in a simple and not too long duration. The stipulations that regulate are sufficient, it is only the intention of all parties to comply and run them.

"The governor and all of us hope that in the context of Christmas 2021, our Christian brothers and sisters can worship with reverence and celebrate with simplicity without losing meaning, but still following the rules and implementing strict health protocols," said Nuryakin.