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Presidential Palaces to implement 'new normal' protocols
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo leaves the Baiturrahim mosque at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta after checking the implementation of health protocol in the building on June 4. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
T
he Presidential Palaces, the official residences and offices of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, will soon implement “new normal” protocols in day-to-day activities and official events in an effort to mitigate the risks of in-person activity during the COVID-19 outbreak.
"The President has instructed us to carry out daily activities [in the palace] in accordance with the new normal measures," Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono said in a statement on Thursday.
He explained that all four presidential palaces, which are in Jakarta, Bogor, Bali and Yogyakarta, would implement similar measures.
Under the "new normal" protocols, the Baiturrahim mosque in the Jakarta Presidential Palace will resume mass prayers with strict health measures.
"We will reduce the mosque’s maximum capacity to 20 percent of the original. Previously, the mosque could accommodate 750 people. Now it has become 150," Heru said.
Read also: MRT Jakarta resumes normal operational hours, with limited capacity during transition period
Several hand washing stations will be placed at the entrances to the mosque and at the area for wudu (ablutions).
"By implementing the new normal measures, I think we will be able to worship comfortably," Heru said.
The presidential palace will also limit the number of attendees at formal functions.
"For inauguration ceremonies, for example, we will limit the number of guests to 5 to 7 people," Heru said, adding that the attendees would be required to maintain physical distance.
The palace will also continue to conduct rapid tests on its guests. The guests, including ministers and their drivers, will be required to wear face masks.
The annual flag-hoisting ceremonies, commonly carried out on the palaces' grounds to commemorate Independence Day, will now be held online. The palace also aims to reduce the number of journalists reporting in person by providing livestreams of President Jokowi’s activities.
