IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – The Ministry of Religious Affairs has again regulated activities at places of worship in an effort to prevent a further spike in COVID-19 cases, especially the Omicron variant.
The regulation is stipulated in the Ministerial Circular Letter Number SE. 04 of 2022. “The circular aims at providing a sense of security and convenience to the community in carrying out worship activities, by implementing the 5M health protocol during the enforcement of community activity restrictions (PPKM),” said Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a statement received in Jakarta, Sunday, Feb. 6.
Places of worship in regencies/cities under PPKM Level 3 are allowed to hold mass religious activities at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 50 worshipers by implementing stricter health protocols, those in areas under PPKM Level 2 at 75 percent capacity with a maximum of 75 people, and those in areas under PPKM Level 1 at 75 percent capacity with more stringent health protocols.
Additionally, managers and administrators of places of worship are obliged to provide officers to inform and supervise the implementation of the 5M health protocol, carry out body temperature checks, provide hand sanitizer and facilities for washing hands, provide spare medical masks.
They also must prohibit people with unhealthy conditions from participating in religious activities, set the distance between congregations at least 1 meter, carry out activities for a maximum of 1 hour, and sermon with a maximum duration of 15 minutes.
People are generally allowed to go to places of worship by complying with the health protocols against COVID-19 but they must bring their own prayer mat. However, those who have just returned from a trip outside the region are not allowed to enter places of worship. People aged 60 years and over and pregnant/breastfeeding women are also advised to worship at home.
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