TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi announced on Wednesday that the government plans to reopen houses of worship but strictly under the “new normal” health guidelines.

“The general concept is to gradually reintroduce activities in houses of worship, which must abide by the new standard procedure of the ‘new normal’ that was announced by the president on May 15,” said the Religious Affairs minister following a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo today, May 27.

Fachrul revealed early plans to gradually reopen houses of worship that are located in relatively safe locations from COVID-19 exposure. These places of worship must be recommended and appointed personally by local administrational leaders.

The recommendations would be then followed up by checking and studying the validity by district-level forums before it is handed to either Regents or Mayors. This is due to the fact that regional leaders know more about an area’s active number of COVID-19 cases.

“The permit will be revised each month. The number can either grow or decrease. We will revoke a permit if an area’s COVID-19 case eventually increases,” says Fachrul.

The Religious Affairs minister noted that the official rule governing the reopening of houses of worship will be issued before the end of this week. The rule will include health protocols that people must abide by that are in line with the ‘new normal.’

EGI ADYATAMA