Gov’t to Restore Houses of Worship to Prepare for New Normal

Minister of Religious Affairs answers reporters’ questions after a limited meeting, Wednesday (27/5). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR).

The Government has announced plan to restore the functions of houses of worship as fair as possible as part of the new normal move.

The plan will be unveiled this week, the Government added.

“We will make the arrangement in a very fair manner,” Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi told reporters, Wednesday (27/5).

On that occasion, the Minister also raised an issue regarding the arrangement to allow the people to perform prayers at mosques or not. According to him, the decision about that is based on recommendation of the village heads and sub-district heads.

“Consultation with regents is needed to include areas with R0 and Rt,” he said.

Revitalization guidelines, according to him, are expected to cut virus transmission and to ensure all health problems have been checked in the area.

The guidelines, he said, also regulate about whether the houses of worship are allowed or not to deliver sermon as well as dissemination on COVID-19.

“We are taking the measures in stages. For example, in the first stage we have agreed that it is only for performing prayer and we try to keep it as short as possible,” he said, adding that once the situation improves, preaching is also allowed to be delivered.

The Minister also expressed hope that the situation can serve as an impetus to reduce the transmission since it will be evaluated on a monthly basis.

“We hope this condition can encourage the people to implement health protocols with discipline so we will give them leeway to worship,” the Minister said. (HIM/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas