This activity aims to strengthen the people's health protocols (compliance), so that they can offer prayers comfortably
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) distributed thousands of free face masks to people around the areas of Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, and Grand Mosque of Bogor, West Java, to strengthen COVID-19 health protocols during Ramadan.

According to a written statement received here on Thursday, the BNPB involved the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of the two regions in distributing the masks.

The mask distribution was conducted for three days at Istiqlal Mosque from April 4 to April 6, 2022. As many as 23 thousand masks were distributed at the mosque, targeting the congregation of the mosque, sellers around the mosque area, the mosque administrators, and visitors.

"This activity aims to strengthen the people's health protocols (compliance), so that they can offer prayers comfortably. In addition, this will prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus among people, both in places of worship and in the surrounding environment," Acting Head of the Data, Information and Communication Center at BNPB Abdul Muhari stated.

Moreover, Muhari remarked that the agency had distributed five thousand masks at the Grand Mosque of Bogor City, West Java, from April 5 to April 6, 2022, targeting the mosque's congregation and administrators, as well as residents around the mosque.

For the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the Ministry of Religious Affairs had earlier issued a circular concerning the health protocols during worship activities. The circular regulates provisions related to congregational worship activities, such as tarawih prayer, daily obligatory prayers, and Itikaf, that are implemented by still taking into account the maximum capacity.

The circular allows places of worship in regions with Level 1 public activity restrictions (PPKM) to open at 100-percent capacity.

The circular also regulates the capacity of places of worship in regions with levels 2 and 3 PPKM. According to the circular, the capacity of places of worship in regions with Level 2 PPKM has been capped at 75 percent and Level 3 PPKM at 50 percent.

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Translator: Devi Nindy, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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