Important! The Ministry Of Religion Reminds Christians To Keep Implementing Prokes During Christmas Celebration

A resident made Christmas decorations from woven plants (rumput peat) at the Cathedral Church Park, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion reminds Christians to continue to apply health protocols during the 2022 Christmas worship celebrations, even though there are no restrictions on the capacity of the congregation when worshiping in the church. "We must be alert and vigilant, especially now that we are still in the post-COVID-19 transition. We remind you that the joy of Christmas must still follow health protocols," said Ministry of Religion spokesman Anna Hasbie in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, December 20. Previously, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas issued circular letter Number 15 of 2022 regarding the 2022 Christmas Celebration during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. One of these circulars regulates that the offline implementation of Christmas worship can be attended by the congregation, a maximum of 100 percent of the capacity of the church room. The circular also regulates efforts to prevent transmission, such as providing officers to inform and supervise the implementation of the 5M health protocol, using masks, and regulating the flow of congregational mobility. The Ministry of Religion hopes that this year's Christmas celebration will be a celebration of solidarity for both fellow Christians and fellow Indonesians in facing the future situation which is predicted to be full of challenges. "We are optimistic that this year's Christmas can be celebrated with joy but still modest," he said. Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) Gomar Gultom welcomed the release of people celebrating Christmas with 100 percent capacity. Nevertheless, he still appealed to churches to continue to carry out strict health protocols, in order to minimize the occurrence of COVID-19 transmission. "The church must be the organizer and bidder of life. Therefore the church must adhere to a clean and healthy lifestyle and be an example in overcoming this pandemic," he said.