Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi said the ministry was drafting a regulation governing this year's Christmas celebrations, covering rules and recommendations for Christmas services, celebrations and the expected holiday exodus.

“In places of worship, we urge people to avoid crowding, to keep their distance from each other and to undergo health checks, among other things,” Fachrul said at a press conference at the State Palace on Wednesday.

The ministry's Protestant Christian Community Guidance Directorate General and its Catholic Community Guidance Directorate General oversaw the drafting of the regulation, which is expected to be issued by the end of this week.

As a national holiday, Christmas Day is usually paired with a collective leave day on the day before: Dec. 24.

Earlier this year, the government decided to reschedule the planned Idul Fitri collective leave days, which were initially set for May 26 to May 29, to the end of the year, from Dec. 28 to 31, due to an alarming rise in COVID-19 transmission.

Under such an arrangement, Indonesians could enjoy a long year-end holiday – from Dec. 24 until the new year.

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