Gov’t Issues Circular on Activities in Places of Worship Restrictions as COVID-19 Cases Surge

In a bid to curb COVID-19 transmission following the spike in cases and new variants in the past month, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has issued Circular Number 13 of 2021 on Religious Activity Restriction in Places of Worship, which serves as a guideline for activities in places of worship.

The Minister expressed hope that with the circular, the people can still carry out religious activities while maintaining safety by adjusting to the current condition in their respective areas.

“I have issued a circular as a guideline to prevent, control, and break thee chain of COVID-19 transmission at places of worship,” he said, Wednesday (16/06) in Jakarta.

According to him, religious activities in red zones are temporarily suspended until the area is declared safe from COVID-19 by the local government, which has the authority to determine risk zones.

“Religious-social and communal activities, such as communal Quran recitals, meetings, wedding receptions, and similar activities in multipurpose halls at places of worship are also suspended in red zones and orange zones until the condition improves,” he said.

The Minister stressed that religious activities in places of worship in areas declared safe from COVID-19 transmission are only allowed to be engaged by the local community with strict health protocols.

As for the technical implementation, Ministry of Religious Affairs, he added, has regulated it in Circular of Minister of Religious Affairs Number 1 of 2020 on COVID-19 Handling Protocol Implementation at Places of Worship.

The Minister has also urged his officials in the Central Government, Heads of the Regional Office of Ministry of Religious Affairs at province, regency, and city levels, Heads of the Office of Religious Affairs at sub-district level, religious counsels, heads of religious mass organizations, and caretakers of places of worship to monitor the implementation of the circular.

“Do coordinate intensively with regional governments and local COVID-19 task forces,” he remarked. (PR of Ministry of Religious Affairs/UN) (DH/EP)

The official website of Ministry of Religious Affairs can be accessed through this link.