By: Aulia Hawa )*
Eid al-Adha celebrations are just a matter of time and some people go home to celebrate it in the village. Nevertheless, the public is asked to always be disciplined in implementing Prokes so as not to contract the Covid-19 which is still happening.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims with joy. They pray Eid and then sacrifice a cow or goat. When celebrating Eid al-Adha, there are some people who return home to celebrate the joy with their parents in the village.
However, before going home for Eid al-Adha, people still have to be vigilant because Corona cases are rising again. Homecoming is not prohibited but on condition that it is mandatory to apply health protocols. Health protocols are a must so as not to contract Corona, because people certainly want to celebrate Eid al-Adha healthily without being overshadowed by the Covid-19 Virus.
Spokesperson for the Covid-19 Task Force Team, Professor Wiku Adisasmito, stated that the mobility policy was valid indefinitely. However, it can change according to the conditions in the field. In a sense, the government does not prohibit the Eid al-Adha homecoming and invites people to move around. This means that you are now allowed to return to your hometown even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Professor Wiku added, there was a 620% increase in Corona cases in 28 days in Indonesia. This is not only happening in the country but also abroad. The reason is due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the Omicron variant, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. To overcome this, the community must remain alert and apply health protocols.
The public is expected to be orderly and obey Professor Wiku’s advice. Eid al-Adha homecoming is an activity that has high mobility, and is held en masse. Even though this activity can trigger an increase in Corona cases. To avoid this, all travelers must comply with health protocols.
First of all, the point in the health protocol that must be adhered to is wearing a mask. The use of masks must be disciplined again, and when people go home, on the way they must wear them in vehicles (buses, trains, or cars). Especially for those who are going home for Eid Al-Adha using motorbikes, they are obliged to wear masks.
The second point in the health protocol is to wash your hands and when it is difficult to find a faucet or source of clean water, it can be replaced by using a hand sanitizer. Hands must be kept clean to be free from the Covid-19 virus. When your hands are clean, they are also free of bacteria, so travelers can be more hygienic.
Then, the next point in the health protocol is to keep a distance. If travelers use public transportation such as trains or buses, it is obligatory to keep their distance. To be more secure, travelers can buy 2 tickets for 1 person, so that there is space so they don’t jostle with other passengers.
The travelers are also obliged to maintain immunity and hygiene. When you arrive at your hometown, please take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothes. In addition, the home environment and its surroundings are kept really clean. The reason is because the Covid-19 virus can appear in dirty places and has poor air circulation.
Tangerang Regent Ahmed Zaki Iskandar stated that the implementation of Eid al-Adha prayers must apply strict health protocols. All sub-district heads and local MUI heads must assist in the implementation of the Eid al-Adha prayers. This is done by providing hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and masks.
Meanwhile, the Tangerang Regency Government, the local MUI, and the Office of the Ministry of Religion have issued technical guidelines for the implementation of Eid al-Adha prayers in mosques. Meanwhile, each sub-district was asked to prepare masks, facilities in the form of hand washing facilities, and a temperature measuring device aka a thermo gun. The mosque was also sprayed with disinfectant before and after the Eid al-Adha prayers.
Strict health protocols must be enforced during the Eid al-Adha prayers. All must be sterile to be free of Corona and not to form a new cluster. Anticipation must be done strictly so that people can worship and celebrate Eid al-Adha without fear of Corona transmission. The public is also advised to obey the rules so that everything is in order.
The steps from the Tangerang Regional Government to sterilize mosques and implement health protocols need to be imitated by other regions. If all regional heads are united in disciplining health protocols, the Eid al-Adha celebration will take place safely. The travelers are also not worried because they can worship comfortably and are not afraid of being infected with the Covid-19 virus.
Ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday, travelers are advised to continue to adhere to health protocols. Everyone must be orderly to avoid Corona, so they must wear masks, use hand sanitizers, and obey other points in the health protocol. With adherence to Prokes, the spike in Covid-19 cases after Eid al-Adha can be avoided.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute
