An Epidemiologist Gives Suggests How To Prevent The Transmission Of COVID-19 After Praying Tarawih In Congregation At The Mosque

Photo by Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has announced that congregational Tarawih prayers in mosques are allowed. This is because the case of COVID-19 in the country has continued to improve lately.

So what are the things that must be prepared for the tarawih prayer in the congregation without creating a new cluster?

An epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, Dicky Budiman, several things must be done to prevent an increase in cases. Moreover, COVID-19 can be transmitted without causing any symptoms.

One of the things that can be done is to educate the Marbots (responsible for taking care of the needs of the mosque) and mosque administrators about health protocols. According to Dicky, related parties need to do this so that the virus does not spread.

"This will be very important to be prepared beforehand, namely literacy of Marbots, mosque administrators about health protocols", said Dicky when contacted by VOI, Thursday, March 24.

In addition, Dicky said, mosques need to provide adequate air circulation and ventilation. Thus, the air is maintained because COVID-19 spreads airborne.

Next, the mosque that will hold the tarawih prayer is also expected to make a registration system for the congregation who will pray there. If this is not possible, PeduliLindung can be an application for tracing and data collection.

"For example in Australia, people who are going to the mosque scan the barcode must have been vaccinated, and have no contact with the case. That's always the case", he said.

"There are even mosques that already have permanent worshipers who register via email. That means to ensure that the person's immune status is, in this case, the vaccination and booster have been fulfilled and not in a close contact case", added Dicky.

Furthermore, risk communication should also be built for the community. Dicky said that all parties must be reminded that even though COVID-19 cases have decreased, it does not mean that the virus is no longer there.

"The virus still exists. So it must be paid attention to, especially since the majority of those who are infected are those who are asymptomatic", he stressed.

In building this risk communication, Dicky assessed, the role of religious leaders is very much needed. They must help the government to convey to the congregation who will pray, if they do not feel well, they should worship at home.

Not only religious leaders, people who worship in mosques must also remind each other to maintain health protocols. So, going forward, cases of COVID-19 can be maintained.

"So to be aware of that, we have to build risk communication. That the congregation who will pray, if they feel unwell, have a history of contact, awareness must be built not to be forced into the mosque", explained Dicky.

"Then also, (congregants, ed) remind each other in the mosque itself", he concluded.