Coordinating Minister For Human Development And Culture Asks For Suggestions From PGI In Anticipating COVID Spike At Christmas And New Year

Photo via PGI page

JAKARTA - This afternoon the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy came to Grha Oikoumene to meet with MPH-PGI. Muhadjir conveyed the importance of getting input from PGI in order to anticipate the spike in COVID-19 at the end of this year.

"In the hearing to PGI, we received suggestions and inputs related to policies, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Because Christmas is a special thing, Christmas worship needs to be properly regulated according to the rules that have been issued so that it runs well without triggering the 3rd wave of COVID And PGI has supported the Government's policy to eliminate collective leave and has appealed for Christmas celebrations to be carried out at home with families," said Coordinating Minister Muhadjir at a press conference at the end of the meeting as quoted from the PGI official website, Tuesday, November 30.

During the meeting, the General Chairperson of PGI Rev. Gomar Gultom supports the government's decision regarding the abolition of collective leave and also arrangements for Christmas and New Year's services. Specifically the number of congregations who will attend the Christmas and New Year services, which adjusts to the regulations issued.

“We have issued a circular for the mechanism of worship during Christmas and New Year services to churches that the worship process is adjusted to the rules that have been issued by the Government. And this is our second year of worship during the pandemic. And according to the provisions, the process is carried out in coordination with the local task force. We also follow the PPKM that has been determined, for example, if it is level 3, the number of worshipers must be 25 percent and so on," said PGI General Secretary Rev. Jacklevyn Manuputty.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, who was accompanied by a number of staff during his visit, was received by the General Chairperson, Rev. Gomar Gultom, General Secretary Rev. Jacklevyn Manuputty, Deputy General Secretary Rev. Krise Gosal, Treasurer Rev. Jacub Sutisna, and Deputy Treasurer Pnt. Arie Mongkingka and a number of bureau heads.

Previously, PGI had also issued an appeal to churches on 19 November 2021 which contained:

First, to encourage citizens to prioritize the implementation of worship and celebrations of Advent, Christmas, and New Year, which are safe and religious, as well as paying attention to the policies imposed by the government in an effort to end the Covid-19 pandemic in our beloved country. In this regard, physical gatherings of people, and celebrations in homes in the form of "open houses" should be avoided.

Second, to give understanding to Christian families, that the family is a manger for the birth of Jesus, so that the center of Christmas celebrations should be placed on family fellowship.

Third, encourage residents to always be role models for the wider community in implementing health protocols (wearing masks, maintaining distance, frequently washing hands with soap and running water, avoiding crowds, and reducing mobility) and clean and healthy living behavior.

Fourth, together with the residents, increase empathy and solidarity with victims of natural disasters and community members who suffer from problems of poverty, discrimination, and injustice. The blessings we receive from God, and as an expression of gratitude for the season of Advent, Christmas, and the New Year, are good to share with those who desperately need our attention and help in order to reduce their burdens and sufferings.