Holding Christmas Mass, The Jakarta Cathedral Church Is Strictly Enforced On The COVID-19 Health Protocol

The Jakarta Catholic Church (Photo: Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Jakarta Cathedral Church held two Christmas Mass celebrations, namely on December 24 and 25. However, this time the Christmas celebrations were different, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jakarta Cathedral Church must limit the number of congregants attending the Christmas Mass, which is only 309 seats or 20 percent of the church capacity. This aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the church area.

Those who attend must also be in the age range of 18 to 59 years and in good health. This rule was set by the Jakarta Archdiocese so that the implementation of Christmas 2020 continues to implement the 3M health protocol, namely wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining distance.

Based on the monitoring of the VOI team in the field, Thursday, December 24, the congregation who came must check the temperature which should not be more than 37.5 degrees. Then the congregation was interested in showing the QR Code obtained from the Bela Rasa website accompanied by a KTP to enter and participate in worship.

Then, after that you must wash your hands under running water with soap, then go inside. The positions of the chairs have also been arranged in such a way, at least 1 to 1.5 meters apart, the rows are not consecutive, but jumping. So that the distance between the congregations is quite far.

At this Christmas Mass, the reception of Communion will also be held. However, during communion there was no holy water. This is what distinguishes this year's Mass from the previous year. In times of pandemic, holy water is not provided, and there is no greeting of peace by touching but by clasping your hands on your chest.

Worship is also a maximum of 60 minutes. If you look at durasu, it is not like normal Christmas in previous years. Although the worship service was shortened, it did not diminish the sacredness of the Christmas service.