KSP Appeals To Keep Prioritizing Health During Christmas Worship

Christmas Mass at the Jakarta Cathedral Church (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion has issued a circular of the Minister of Religion No. 23 of 2020 concerning Guidelines for Organizing Worship Activities and Christmas Celebration during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Where the worship activities of this year's Christmas celebration must prioritize the health and safety of the congregation.

"This circular is expected to minimize risks without neglecting the spirituality of the people in carrying out Christmas services and celebrations," said Spokesperson for the Covid-19 Task Force Prof. Wiku Adisasmito in a press statement, Wednesday, December 23.

Prof. Wiku appealed to Christian religious leaders to comply with this circular. So that Christmas services can be carried out safely and free from Covid-19 without reducing the solemnity of worship.

Congregations are also asked to celebrate Christmas and New Year services as much as possible peacefully and solemnly at home. This is to avoid the transmission of Covid-19 which has been getting higher lately.

"Because don't let a new cluster appear in the middle of a happy moment that should be a celebration for all Christians in Indonesia," Wiku ordered.

For information, in the circular letter of the Minister of Religion No. 23 of 2020, regulates the obligations of the people and houses of worship. For the congregation, it must be in a healthy condition, use a mask, maintain hand hygiene, avoid shaking hands or hugging, maintain distance between congregants or people, avoid staying for a long time in a house of worship.

Children and the elderly are encouraged to worship online. And the congregation also cares about the implementation of health protocols. This includes periodic disinfection in places of worship and providing hand washing facilities, temperature checking devices, and applying distance restrictions.

"As well as making arrangements for the number of congregations that gather at the same time, to shorten the time for carrying out services by posting an appeal for the implementation of health protocols and imposing an obligation to show the results of the Covid-19 test for congregations or guests from outside the city," the circular wrote.