New Normal, Here Are 9 Health Protocols at Mosques
Translator
Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor
Laila Afifa
Selasa, 2 Juni 2020 15:41 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) recently issued a circular on health and safety guidelines for mosque managers and congregations to pray at worship places in a time of new normal.
The circular was inked by the chairman Jusuf Kalla and secretary-general Imam Addararuqutni on Saturday, May 30, as a follow-up of the Religious Affairs Ministry’s Circular No. 15/2020 concerning religious activities amid Covid-19 pandemic.
The following is nine health protocols at mosques during a new normal era:
- Reopening mosques
Five daily mandatory prayers and weekly Friday prayer are resumed while following news development on the coronavirus infection in each region.
- Physical distancing
In order to keep congregations safe from the virus, mosque managers are asked to set up protocols against Covid-19, such as maintaining physical distancing order of at least one meter between people, wearing face masks from home, and bringing their own prayer essentials.
- Mosque cleaning
Prayer rugs must not be used, have the discipline to clean up mosque’s floors with disinfectant, provide hand sanitizer or handwashing stations and soap.
- Use of the sound system
Speaker is an effective media to broadcast important and emergency information regarding Covid-19 mitigation.
- Zakat, infaq, and community donation management.
Mosque managers are asked to collect zakat and donation both in the form of cash and food then benefit them to increase people’s immunity by providing vitamin C, vitamin E, and other nutritious foods.
- Mosques must act as rapid response posts
Mosques must be set up as a rapid response post if a congregation is infected with Covid-19.
- Make sure the safe and sterile mosques
Ensuring that mosques are safe and sterile from the virus infection.
- Mosque’s capacity
The mosque’s capacity must be at 40 percent from its normal capacity to maintain a physical distance of one meter from each other. Thus, Friday prayer is allowed to be offered in public spaces as well or in two phases for a densely populated region.
- Sick congregation
The last point of the health protocols is that people who are sick, coughing, having fever, shortness of breath, and presenting symptoms of flu are ordered to pray at home until they are declared cured.
RINI KUSTIANI
