PPKM Java-Bali Extended, Capacity Of Places Of Worship Relaxed To 50 Percent

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JAKARTA - The government has relaxed the capacity for activities in places of worship in the extension of PPKM Level 4, Level 3, and Level 2 in Java and Bali until August 23.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that now places of worship are allowed to contain a maximum of 50 percent. Previously, places of worship were limited to a maximum of 25 percent.

"The government will increase the capacity for places of worship to 50 percent in cities/districts with PPKM levels 4 and 3 of course with the implementation of good health protocols," Luhut said in a virtual press conference, Monday, August 16.

Luhut said the government also allowed outdoor sports activities, which amounted to no more than 4 people, and did not involve physical contact.

Not only that, the government has also relaxed the capacity of visitors to malls or shopping centers in the extension of this PPKM. Restaurants within the mall are also allowed to serve dine-in.

Previously, Luhut announced that PPKM Level 4, Level 3, and Level 2 in Java and Bali were extended for the next week.

Luhut acknowledged that the number of COVID-19 cases on August 15 had fallen by 76 percent and active cases had fallen 53 percent from their peak. However, he said the mobility of the community had returned to normal conditions.

"This indicates a significant increase in people's mobility compared to the beginning of last July. On the one hand, this shows that the economy is recovering quickly but there is a risk of increasing cases in the next 2 to 3 weeks if we are not careful. This is good enough, it must be maintained," said Luhut.

In the implementation of the extension of the PPKM for the next week, there are additional districts/cities entering level 3 as many as 8 districts/cities, so that the total regencies/cities included in levels 3 and 2 reach 61 districts/cities.

"Regarding this decision, it will be stated in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs in more detail," he concluded.