Minister Orders Regional Leaders to Ban Eid Open Houses

INDUSTRY.co.id - In a bid to curb COVID-19 transmission, Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian has ordered all governors, regents, and mayors in Indonesia to take measures to restrict gatherings for iftar (the meal Muslims have after sunset to break their fast) and to ban open house during and after Eid.

The order is stated in Circular Number 800/2794/SJ on Gathering Restrictions for Iftar during Ramadan (Islamic fasting month) and Open House Prohibition during 2021 Eid signed by Tito on Tuesday (04/05).

“Governors, regents/mayors are ordered to take measures as follows: a. restrict gatherings for iftar, which must not exceed the number of nuclear family members added by five people during 2021 Ramadan, and b. instruct all government officials/civil servants in the regions not to hold open house during 2021 Eid,” Tito said in the circular.

The circular was issued following the spike in COVID-19 cases, especially after last year’s Eid celebration as well as Christmas and 2021 New Year’s holiday. Therefore, government heads need to anticipate activities during Ramadan and before, during, and after Eid.

Following the issuance of this circular, Minister of Home Affairs’ Circular Number 450/2769/SJ issued on 3 May 2021 and Circular Number 800/2784/SJ issued on 4 May 2021 on a similar matter have been revoked and are no longer in force.