The Pandemic Is Not Over, The Minister Of Religion Of Yaqut Asks For Chinese New Year To Be Celebrated In A Simple Way

Portrait of the Indonesian Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Saturday (29/1/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Kemenag)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas asked Confucians to always celebrate the Chinese New Year by remaining disciplined in carrying out health protocols that can prevent the rise of COVID-19 cases.

"The pandemic to this day has not stopped. Moreover, with the continued increase in cases of local transmission of the Omicron variant, at this time we should be more careful. Let's celebrate Chinese New Year this year with simplicity and run the process without reducing its meaning," Yaqut said in a written statement. The Ministry of Religion was reported by Antara, Saturday, January 29.

Yaqut asked that Chinese New Year be celebrated in a simple and limited way, and to avoid crowds and the habit of large family gatherings by not going out of town because the current COVID-19 pandemic situation is still considered dangerous, especially with the increase in cases due to Omicron.

In order to keep the health protocols running properly, he asked all parties to strictly implement the recommendations in Circular No. 02 of 2022 regarding the implementation of the 2573 Kongzili Lunar New Year.

According to the regulation, Chinese New Year can be held in all temples, miao, litang, or xuetang with a note that it must be held in a limited way, namely with a maximum capacity of 10 percent according to the PPKM level in an area from the capacity of the celebration venue.

For the organizers, they are required to coordinate with the COVID-19 Task Force in the local environment, local governments, and local security forces to find out the zoning status as well as prepare health workers to oversee health protocols during the event.

He hopes that all parties can work together to implement strict health protocols in every religious holiday to create a safe, comfortable, and protected environment from COVID-19.

"Let's remind each other of the importance of maintaining this health protocol in various conditions, including when celebrating Chinese New Year," said Yaqut.