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View all search resultsRegions limit Independence Day events to curb virus spread
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R
egional administrations across the country have decided to limit the celebrations of Indonesia’s upcoming 75th anniversary and called on residents to refrain from holding events that could attract crowds amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is showing no signs of slowing down.
The Surabaya administration in East Java has altogether prohibited celebrations that usually involve a large number of people, such as tirakatan (a tradition held on the eve of Independence Day to express gratitude to God before holding a flag-hoisting ceremony the next morning) as well as various competitions featuring traditional games including panjat pinang (pole climbing) and balap karung (sack race).
Indonesia’s Independence Day is celebrated every Aug. 17, when residents traditionally hold various events to commemorate the anniversary.
Deputy secretary of the Surabaya COVID-19 task force Irvan Widyanto said such events with a large gathering of people were fertile ground for the coronavirus to spread.
East Java recently emerged as a new COVID-19 epicenter in the country, after capital Jakarta, with a total of 26,979 confirmed cases and 1,967 fatalities as of Friday.
"It's quite risky to hold tirakatan and competitions in the current conditions. So, we call on all residents to not hold any celebrations that involve many people on Independence Day," Irvan said earlier this week.
Another city in East Java, Malang has also issued restrictions for Independence Day celebrations in the City Hall complex. Malang Mayor Sutiaji said a very limited number of people would perform a small prayer the night before the flag-hoisting ceremony, and it was going to be aired online through the city’s social media accounts.
