Government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Reisa Broto Asmoro, has urged churches in Indonesia to provide the option of home worship to their members during Christmas.
“(Churches must provide the option of) Online (home worship) with the worship procedures that have been prepared by church administrators and managers so that the church’s capacity does not surpass 50 percent of the maximum limit,” she advised while making an online press statement, accessed from here on Friday.
She called for forming a COVID-19 health protocol task force in each church to ensure the safety of people during Christmas prayers and celebrations.
“We are sure that the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia (KWI), the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), and other Christian religious organizations already have good health standards and worship arrangements because this is the second Christmas that we are celebrating in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
People who celebrate Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 at home will also benefit more because they will be able to maintain their and their family’s health, she pointed out.
According to Asmoro, people must pay attention to potential disasters caused by COVID-19 and not just natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and other disasters predicted by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG).
Taking preventive measures is also better than reacting only when many victims fall, she added.
“Preventing and being prepared are much better than treating and rehabilitating or reconstructing,” she noted.
She opined that Christmas and New Year are an opportunity to prove that Indonesia can survive the pandemic while still implementing the health protocols.
In addition, testing, tracing, and treatment (3T) will also be intensified so that the public activity restrictions (PPKM) can still be maintained at Level 1, she informed.
“The vaccination program is also being accelerated to reach the 70-percent target by the end of this year,” she added.
Source: Antara News