TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara or NTB decided to close all places of worships and entertainment venues, suspending all religious and entertainment activities, starting Monday, March 23. The decision was taken amid the increasing spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia.

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkieflimansyah issued a circular on March 22 on the 'Vigilance of the NTB Community in COVID-19 Containment Efforts'.

He also issued a letter about the closing of the entertainment venues to the regents and mayors, registered as No. 800/282/Dispar-1/2020, on the Temporary Closure of Entertainment Venues' Activities.

"The goal is to suspend all religious social activities as well as cultural performances," Zulkieflimansyah said in the letter. This policy applies to Friday prayers, adhering to the MUI fatwa.

According to Zulkieflimansyah, the decision was taken as an effort to break the chain of the spread of the new Coronavirus that causes the Covid-19.

The province's Hubbul Wathan Grand Mosque at the Islamic Center (IC) Complex is also closed. The mosque's administrator, Mahaly, said on Monday that the Islamic Center is under the management of the NTB Regional Government. So all decisions and policies issued by the Regional Government must be carried out; especially since it is for the safety and benefit of the masses.

SUPRIYANTHO KHAFID (CONTRIBUTOR)