Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan The archdioceses of Jakarta and Samarinda have reopened their churches after local authorities began to ease social restrictions imposed to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Religious activities may resume starting,” said Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan in a live-streamed press conference last week.
“All churches can be reopened but only for regular activities…all places of worship must obey health protocols.”
The easing of restrictions in East Kalimantan province, which covers Samarinda Archdiocese, included the reopening of places of worship on condition that people continue to wear face masks and maintain social distancing.
“Parishes may resume public Sunday Masses,” Archbishop Yustinus Harjosusanto of Samarinda said in a letter.
“Eucharistic celebrations can be held only at parish churches. To keep Massgoers’ hands clean, parishes must provide hand sanitiser and churches must also be disinfected prior to a Mass.”
Archbishop Harjosusanto called on parish pastoral councils to report on their preparations before holding their first Mass.
“For parishes based in municipalities and districts,” he continued, “the report should be sent to mayors and district chiefs. For other parishes, their report should be sent to sub-district heads.”
According to the archdiocese’s vicar general, Fr Moses Komela Avan, nine of its 26 parishes, including St Mary of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Samarinda, are ready to resume Sunday Masses.