Ministry Of Religion Ahead Of Ramadan: Capacity Of Worship Places During Level 1 PPKM Can Be 100 Percent, Level 2: 75 Percent, Level 3: 50 Percent

Illustration of praying at a place of worship during a pandemic. (Antaranews)

JAKARTA - The capacity of places of worship in Level 1 of the Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) area during Ramadan 2022 can be 100 percent. This provision is in accordance with Circular Number 06/2022 concerning the Implementation of Worship/Religious Activities in Places of Worship.

"For places of worship in districts/cities with Level 1 PPKM, they can hold congregational/collective worship/religious activities with congregations at 100 percent of capacity by implementing health protocols," said Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a written statement, Wednesday, March 30.

The SE also regulates the capacity of places of worship in the Level 2 and 3 PPKM. Places of worship located in level 2 areas, congregational worship activities are limited to 75 percent of capacity. As for the level 3 area, the congregation is limited to a maximum of 50 percent of capacity.

The capacity of the congregation is in accordance with the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) No. 18/2022. Despite a number of relaxations, the public is asked to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols.

According to the Minister of Religion, this circular was issued to provide a sense of security, comfort and solemnity to the community in carrying out worship/religious activities and implementing health protocols in places of worship during the PPKM period.

Other provisions contained in the circular, such as administrators/managers of places of worship are required to provide officers to inform and supervise the implementation of health protocols, conduct body temperature checks for each congregation using a body temperature measuring device (thermogun).

Then officers must provide hand sanitizers and facilities for washing hands using soap and running water, so as to provide spare masks.

Congregants with unsanitary conditions, aged 60 years and over, have comorbidities, and pregnant/breastfeeding women are encouraged to perform worship at their respective homes. Officers must arrange access to the exit and entry of the congregation so that there are no crowds.

Places of worship are disinfected regularly, ensuring that places of worship have good air ventilation and sunlight can enter, and when using air conditioner (AC), they must be cleaned regularly.

The implementation of sermons, lectures, or tausiyah must comply with the provisions, preachers, lecturers, priests, priests, priests, pedandas, or clergy wear masks properly and correctly, and always remind the congregation to always maintain health and comply with health protocols.

Meanwhile, the congregation must wear masks properly and correctly, wash their hands using running water or use hand sanitizers, be in good health (body temperature below 37 degrees Celsius), not in self-isolation, and bring their respective religious/worship equipment.