JAKARTA - Hundreds of red lanterns were installed at the Solo City Hall. This unique ornament before the Chinese New Year celebration looks so beautiful that it invites the interest of residents to immortalize it in photos. Not only at City Hall, thousands of lanterns will also be installed around Pasar Gede Solo.
The Solo City Government has given the green light for Chinese New Year celebrations, including Cap Go Meh. However, in this ceremony there are a number of provisions, including the application of strict health protocols to anticipate crowds and the spread of COVID-19.
Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka said this celebration could not be as lively as the previous year considering the potential for COVID-19 transmission. The city government has prepared various schemes through Satpol PP including the Lunar New Year organizing committee to prevent crowds.
"The important thing is that the health protocols are strict," said Gibran, as reported by the news Youtube channel in Surakarta, Thursday, January 27.
Gibran doesn't want the economy to stop even though COVID-19 is still around. Moreover, it has been two years since Solo no longer celebrates Chinese New Year.
"The so-called economic activity cannot stop even in the midst of a pandemic. Chinese New Year has been gone for two years, is there another one missing?"
"It's not going to be as lively as last year, there are a few we're going to lose, that's all," said Gibran.
Regarding the increase in COVID-19 cases, Gibran answered diplomatically. "It has been emphasized by the Ministry of Health that in the next two months there will be an increase, no problem. The important thing is that the process is strict!" said the eldest son of President Joko Widodo.
Separately, the chairman of the 2572/2022 Lunar New Year Joint Committee, Sumartono Hadinoto, added that his party had implemented a number of adaptations for this year's Lunar New Year. In addition to proke, celebrations at the city hall were held in a limited manner.
For example, invited guests at the city hall are limited to only 200 people. The attraction of 10 lion dances to the city hall was also replaced by the cuk lampah to avoid crowds.
"Later on, the lion dance will take the guardian from the transit to Gede City Hall," he said.
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