The Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) has called on mosques across Jakarta to temporarily halt mass prayers as the capital is reimposing a partial lockdown, also known as large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), in the next two weeks.
he Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) has called on mosques across Jakarta to temporarily halt mass prayers as the capital is reimposing a partial lockdown, also known as large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), in the next two weeks.
“[I hope] mosques can minimize or altogether stop activities that involve large congregations, including Friday prayers, until the PSBB policy is lifted,” DMI chairman Jusuf Kalla said Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.
The DMI issued a circular regarding the matter on the same day.
The Jakarta administration on Monday reinstated the PSBB to contain the spread of COVID-19. It has recorded an overwhelming number of daily cases in the past weeks, resulting in a rising hospital bed occupancy rate.
Read also: Police launch operation to monitor, sanction Jakarta PSBB violators
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan revealed that the city would run out of hospital beds soon if no significant intervention was made.
Kalla, the former vice president, also encouraged mosques located in densely populated areas or regions marked “red”, or with a high risk of infection, in the COVID-19 risk mapping system to close temporarily to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Mosques located in safer zones, he said, could still hold mass prayers as long as they strictly implemented health protocols. (vny)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.