Depok City Government Issues Virtual Christmas Circular Letters At Home Only

Mayor of Depok Mohammad Idris (Depok City Government information site)

JAKARTA - The City Government (Pemkot) of Depok issued a policy of holding Christmas virtual. This provision is related to the COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

This decision is contained in the Mayor's Circular Number 443/604-Huk / Satgas. This Christmas celebration at home is called the Depok City Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Circular Letter stated, in connection with the high spread of COVID-19 and based on the results of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) meeting, four decisions were made in organizing Christmas 2020.

First, Christmas and New Year were held virtually. That is, the congregation participates in religious activities at home with the nuclear family.

Second, as for the Christmas organizing committee, a maximum of 20 people. Third, the committee can also ask for assistance from local officials, such as the sub-district head, village head, the police and the TNI.

Fourth, visits in Christmas celebrations were only carried out by the nuclear family. With notes, still pay attention to health protocols.

Christmas and New Year's Security

A total of 8,179 joint personnel of the TNI-Polri and DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will be deployed to prioritize Christmas and New Year 2021 celebrations. All forms of events that will cause crowds will not be granted permission.

"The strength that we will prepare 8,179 joint personnel will be from the provincial government itself, then the TNI-Polri," said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus to reporters, Tuesday, December 15.

Thousands of joint personnel will be deployed to provide security related to Christmas celebrations. Based on the mapping, there are several points that are considered vulnerable and must receive special security.

"Then there are other security readiness as well as in several places. There are several churches in Jakarta. There are more than 1,600 churches in the Jakarta area," he said.

"There are 316 churches that are not considered vulnerable, because they are adjacent to the mosque, so there needs to be special attention, security, both from the TNI and Polri from the Regional Government and Satpol PP of DKI," he continued.

Meanwhile, Mass night activities for Christians have been arranged by the Provincial Government. Religious activities will be divided into several sessions by prioritizing health protocols.

"Then for the night mass activities for tonight everything is the same from our brothers from Catholics, then also Protestants, it has been regulated in a circular letter from the head of the DKI Jakarta Religious Service," he said.

"For example, the Catholic Mass is only from 2,500, for example the East Jakarta KMGI may be held twice, attended by the remaining 200 people using virtual zoom. It is mutually agreed upon, including several other churches," Yusri continued.