Central Java Governor Asks Church Leaders To Promote Java-Bali PPKM

Illustration - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Semarang Archbishop Mgr. Robertus Rubiyatmoko at the Semarang Cathedral. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo asked church leaders to take an active role in socializing the implementation of the Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali to anticipate the spread of COVID-19.

"Several regencies / cities in Central Java will be prepared for PPKM, so I hope the church will help socialize this policy," he said in Semarang, reported by Antara, Friday, January 8.

In addition, church leaders are also asked to continue to provide education and socialization related to the discipline of health protocols because the number of COVID-19 in Central Java is currently high and the graph continues to increase.

"Therefore, I ask church leaders to remind the congregation, including the elderly, not to leave the house a lot. I ask everyone to look after each other in their respective environments, including this church environment," he said.

This was conveyed by Ganjar when delivering aid in the form of 5 tons of rice, 0.5 quintal of eggs, and 500 boxes of instant noodles to church elders in Central Java.

Ganjar handed over the assistance directly to representatives of church leaders who are members of the Mutiara Kasih Christian-Catholic Ecumenical Prayer Fellowship in Semarang.

A number of church representatives attended, including representatives from the Indonesian Bethel Church, the Indonesian Baptist Church, the Bethel Tabernacle Church, and the Indonesian Church Association.

"We provide this assistance at the request of the churches, he said, to help the Kasepuhan group, elderly women, so we provide this assistance so that they can ease their burdens," said Ganjar.

Responding to Governor Ganjar's request regarding the socialization of PPKM and the implementation of health protocols among Christians, the Head of the Mutiara Kasih Christian-Catholic Ecumenical Prayer Fellowship, Semarang EV. Satriyo made sure he would do it.

"In official events, sermons, prayers and others we will definitely remind the congregation to take care of their health. We must prevent disease transmission as early as possible so as not to be infected," he said.

The implementation of health protocols, he continued, has also been done so far by limiting the number of congregants who attend church services.

"Apart from the church, we will also conduct direct education when providing this assistance to recipients. We hope that the congregation will support government programs in an effort to break the chain of spreading this pandemic," he said.