Jakarta allows 50-pct capacity at religious places during level-3 PPKM

Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan has allowed places of worship to open with a maximum 50-percent capacity for religious activities, with strict restrictions and health protocols during the Level 3 Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) in the capital city.

“Mosques, churches, temples, viharas, and pagodas, as well as other places that function as places of worship can start to conduct religious activities by implementing stricter health protocols,” Baswedan noted in Governor’s Decree for Jakarta Province Number 1026 of 2021 on the implementation of Level 3 PPKM against COVID-19 , here on Wednesday. The Governor’s Decree, signed by Baswedan on August 23, stipulates that places of worship, such as mosques, churches, temples, viharas, and pagodas as well as other places that functioned as places of worship, can hold congregational worship and religious activities during the PPKM Level 3 period, with a maximum capacity of 50 percent.

Baswedan emphasized that places of worship should function in adherence to strict health protocols and heed to technical arrangements of the Ministry of Religion Affairs. While conducting various activities, especially indoor activities, during the PPKM Level 3 period, the governor urged all to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by taking at least the first dose, which also applies to those involved in worship activities.

“This is necessary except for residents within a three-month period of being confirmed with COVID-19 with evidence of laboratory results as well as residents contraindicated for COVID-19 vaccination based on the results of a medical examination with proof of a doctor’s certificate and children below 12 years of age,” Baswedan remarked.

This decision came into effective from August 24, 2021.

Source: Antara News