"People who attend the church are given a quota of approximately 20 percent of the church's capacity," Jakarta Cathedral Bishop Hani Rudi Hartoko said at a virtual press conference on Christmas preparations at the Jakarta Cathedral Church on Wednesday.
Under normal conditions, that is, before COVID-19 struck, the Jakarta Cathedral Church could accommodate five thousand people for one service, Bishop Rudi said. However, currently only 20 percent, or 309 people, are being allowed to perform face-to-face worship, he added.
At present, worshippers attending church are being split into two groups, with one group of 200 people worshipping inside the church and 109 outside the church at Plaza Maria, he informed.
This year, due to the pandemic, the Jakarta Cathedral Church and the Catholic Church in the Jakarta bishopric will carry out Christmas services in two ways, namely online via live streaming and face-to-face worship.
Face-to-face worship will be carried out under strict health protocols and observance of 3M rules. In addition, services will also be limited to just 60 minutes.
"We have been praying for eight months in a pandemic condition, so there will be no crowds because they have been trained and the people are also increasingly aware," Bishop Rudi said.
After the worship, people will be asked not to gather in crowds and return home immediately. After each service, the church premises will be sprayed with disinfectant.
People wishing to attend face-to-face worship will need to first register themselves with their parishes. The church will only allow worshippers in the 18-59 age group who are in good health to attend such services.
"People who attend do not require a COVID-19 test but must ensure their health condition. Officers and priests are also confirmed healthy," Bishop Rudi said.
Currently, the Jakarta bishopric has permitted just two face-to-face celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Thus, there will be two face-to-face services on December 24, 2020 and two on December 25.
On December 24, the Jakarta Cathedral Church will hold the first mass face-to-face at 5 p.m. WIB (Western Indonesia Time), the second mass will be live streamed at 18.30 WIB, and the third mass will be held face-to-face at 8 p.m. WIB.
Meanwhile, on December 25, the first mass will be live streamed at 9 a.m. WIB, the second mass will be held at 11 a.m. WIB, and the evening mass will be held face-to-face at 5 p.m. WIB. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Desi P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
