Keep Watchful Eye on Prevalent COVID-19
The government has extended micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM) and banned takbiran (group chanting of God is great) to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas announced several restrictions ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2021, after a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (19/4/2021). Press statements were also delivered by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto (left) and Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin (right).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government has reimposed micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM) for the sixth time, from Tuesday (20/4/2021) until May 3 (3/5), in order to maintain public alertness because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. After banning mudik (exodus) for the period of May 6-17, the government called a halt to round-the-town takbiran (chanting of God is great) on the eve of Idul Fitri to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
This policy was adopted at a limited meeting chaired by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin on Monday afternoon (19/4) at the State Palace, Central Jakarta. Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said following the meeting that mudik and takbiran were prohibited to prevent new COVID-19 infections.