Pastor And Father Ask Ganjar About PPKM Level 3 Policy Facing Christmas And New Year

Governor Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - The Central Government will re-implement the policy of implementing community activity restrictions (PPKM) level 3 throughout Indonesia during the Christmas and New Year holidays. However, the official regulations have not yet been released by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Central Java Governor, Ganjar Pranowo, said his party was still waiting for the circular letter (SE) of the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, Ganjar is aware that this policy was taken to prevent high mobility during Christmas and New Year.

"Not yet (PPKM Level 3), we are still waiting for the circular letter of the Minister of Home Affairs. Yesterday the Pastors and Fathers contacted me, how about this, sir. I answered, let's wait first", he said when he inaugurated a functional official of the Central Java Provincial Government at Gradhika Bhakti Praja, Friday, November 19.

Ganjar asked the Pastors and Fathers to hold a limited Christmas celebration. Worship and celebration can be carried out in a hybrid way, ie some come to places of worship, some at home.

"I told him, if you want to carry out Christmas, the celebration may be very limited and can be hybrid. Or those who want to celebrate the new year later because of this provision", he explained.

Ganjar also asked the public not to take time off during Christmas and New Year. To the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) in the Central Java Provincial Government, Ganjar also prohibited them from going home.

"There is no leave, just two days off. Just work, so there is no high mobility. ASN is not allowed to back to hometown", he said.

Regarding the possibility of blocking traffic flow in Central Java, Ganjar said that he had not implemented the policy. However, if there is an increase, it can take conditional actions to regulate traffic.

"Tourism is also the same, we will limit it. If PPKM level 3 is applied later, the provisions will automatically be even stricter", he concluded.

For your information, the central government plans to implement PPKM Level 3 in all parts of Indonesia. The implementation will be carried out during the Christmas and New Year holidays. In this way, several restrictions will be re-enacted.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, said PPKM Level 3 will be implemented from December 24 to January 2. People are prohibited from having fireworks, parades, processions that cause large crowds.

In addition, people are prohibited from going home for non-primary purposes. The public is also prohibited from traveling during Christmas and New Year. Several public facilities in the area have been asked to close and the rules for traveling on public transportation will be tightened.

Employees both ASN, TNI/Police, and private employees are prohibited from taking leave during Christmas and New Year. The number of visitors in public places such as cinemas, cafes, restaurants is limited to a maximum of 50 percent. The number of visitors at the shopping center is also limited to a maximum of 50 percent and its opening hours are limited to 21.00.