Another Aidilfitri under pandemic’s shadow

MusliMs in the country celebrated Aidilfitri under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic and health protocols that limited the scale of festivities for the second consecutive year.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is traditionally marked with mass prayers and families and relatives exchanging visits, but as the Covid-19 pandemic still drags on, authorities imposed restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the world’s largest Muslim population.

National Covid-19 task force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito has repeatedly called on the public to refrain from visiting families, saying the tradition of silaturahmi (social bonds) could be carried out virtually.

“if we still insist on gathering with families or relatives, there is a huge possibility we could get infected and spread the virus,” Wiku told a virtual press conference.

The government has also forbidden Aidilfitri mass prayers at mosques in high-risk areas, including istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in the country located in the capital and able to accommodate up to 120,000 people, though those in lower-risk areas are still allowed to hold mass prayers.

On Thursday, many worshippers wearing masks were seen at some mosques and open fields across the archipelago joining communal prayers with health protocols, according to local media reports.

The government has also banned mudik (exodus) for the second consecutive year to further reduce the risk of transmission.

A joint force of 155,000 personnel from the police, indonesian Military, public order agencies and the Transportation Ministry have been deployed to 381 checkpoints spread across sumatra, Java and Bali, where travellers should present necessary permits and travel documents.

“We need to be patient and practise self-restraint from visiting families,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on YouTube.

“This is indeed hard but we have no choice. We must prioritise our health and safety,” Jokowi said.

He performed Aidilfitri prayers with family members and several aides in the front yard of Bogor Palace in West Java, saying on Twitter that he himself did not return to his hometown for this year.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had ordered the temporary closure of malls, restaurants and tourist spots in areas deemed at high and medium risk of Covid-19 infection across the capital from Wednesday until tomorrow.