JakartaPost-Apr 12
After two years of celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan under rigid COVID-19 restrictions, millions of Muslims in Indonesia began enjoying the fasting month under “normal” conditions last week, with authorities easing curbs to almost pre-pandemic levels. Compared with the past two years, Anang Riswanta, 29, from Sukoharjo, Central Java, said he was able to experience a “more joyful and comfortable Ramadan”. “Concerns about COVID-19 transmission are no longer top of the mind for my family, as the number of infections continues to drop,” Anang told The Jakarta Post on Friday.On Saturday, the country recorded 1,468 new COVID-19 cases, down by 98 percent from the 64,718 cases it registered at the peak of the third wave on Feb. 16. The number of active cases also dropped by 83 percent since the peak of the Omicron wave, from around 445,000 cases to 74,000. For the first time in two years, the government has allowed Muslims to perform prayers at public houses of worship without physical-distancing requirements or a limit on the number of worshipers allowed to gather at any one time. It has also allowed people to embark on the mudik exodus for Idul Fitri, marking the first time in two years since travel restrictions were eased for holiday festivities. Read more at:
