Pontianak to Celebrate Cap Go Meh Sans Barongsai Parade
Translator
Editor
27 January 2022 09:45 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pontianak government decided to cancel public events to celebrate Cap Go Meh, the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, in a bid to prevent the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
“Besides, the night of the 2573 Chinese New Year celebration which is usually enlivened with fireworks has also been canceled,” said Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono on Wednesday, January 26.
The Cap Go Meh celebration in Pontianak is usually enlivened with Barongsai or a lion dance and dragon parade. The events always succeed in attracting tourist visits.
Additionally, the local government usually held a festive fireworks party. However, these two events had not been held for the last two years in the wake of the pandemic.
Even though the celebration is canceled, Edi said residents are still allowed to worship at the temple by implementing the predetermined health protocols. “We along with the military (TNI) and police personnel will secure places of worship on Chinese New Year to ensure the worships to run safely,” he added.
Edi also encouraged citizens to celebrate Chinese New Year and Cap Go Meh in a simple way by not holding activities that attract crowds. Throughout January 2022, Pontianak recorded 40 new cases of COVID-19 after several months of no additional cases.
Read: Cap Go Meh Festival Symbol of Diversity: Bogor Mayor
ANTARA
