Covid-19: Extend work from home, online marriage registration, and museum from home

Last updated on May 13th, 2021 at 05:35 am

Work From Home

Coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic has led to restrictions and thus postponement of gatherings, events and routine tasks worldwide.

The Indonesian government has urged all Indonesians to “work from home, study from home and worship at home” in the coming weeks to stem the spread of the virus.

By seeing the number of coronavirus or Covid-19 cases, the government decided to extend its work-from-home guidance till April 21, 2020 to curb transmission of the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19. Previously, the first work-from-home period was set to be ended on Tuesday (March 31, 2020).

The work-from-home policy had been promulgated in response to the state of emergency declared by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) over the COVID-19 outbreak, said Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms, Tjahjo Kumolo, on Monday in Jakarta.

The government has left the implementation of the work-from-home policy to each regional head, so they can take into account the situation in their region and developments reported by the COVID-19 task force to tailor the policy to their needs, he said

Secretary of the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms Ministry Dwi Wahyu Atmaji said the extension of the work-from-home period was set forth in a ministerial circular (number 34 of 2020).

Online Marriage Registration

Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Ministry had offered an online registration service to Indonesians planning to get married, as the government battles the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by encouraging people to work from home.

Director General of the Islamic Community Guidance at the Religious Affairs Ministry Kamaruddin Amin informed , the ministry’s online registration service can be availed by the bride and groom candidates on simkah.kemenag.go.id.

“As a result of the work-from-home policy, the ministry’s employees can still serve those in need,” he remarked while suggesting the bride and groom candidates to take into account the COVID-19 emergency status currently imposed if they are keen on holding their wedding parties.

The service, however, is only for couples who got married and applied for registration before the enforcement of remote working policy.

In line with the government’s efforts to implement social distancing, Amin called on couples intending to get married to re-plan their wedding ceremonies. If possible, the convening of wedding parties should be rescheduled until the condition improves, Amin remarked.

Earlier, the ministry issued a wedding ceremony protocol adjusted as per virus prevention measures. It restricted the number of attendees to no more than 10 people.

“Bride, groom and other attendees have to wash their hands with soap or antiseptic and wear masks. Groom and wedding officiant also have to wear gloves during the ceremony,” the new rules said.

Museum From Home

Following the government’s request to prevent the spread of Coronavirus or COVID-19, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (MACAN), known as Museum MACAN, has been temporarily closed since Saturday, March 14.

Museum MACAN then now opens their virtual doors through the ‘Museum from Home’ program. Aaron Seeto, Director of MACAN, revealed that the virtual museum program aims to respond positively to the current social situation being faced globally.

The present of ‘Museum from Home’ program, the public can now enjoy a range of online features, from virtual museums, exploring the museum’s collections with the curatorial team, to creative workshops that families can do at home, through the Museum MACAN’s website or social media channels.

Earlier, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo instructed Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto to promptly finalize a ministerial regulation on criteria for regions allowed to apply large-scale social distancing measures (PSBB).

The regulation stipulates that local governments can apply PSBB that comprise restrictions on the movement of people and goods in provincial or district/city areas with approval of the minister in charge of health affairs.

PSBB, as per the government regulations, at least halting school and office activities, applying restrictions on religious activities; and/or restrictions on activities in public places or facilities. Restrictions on school, work, and religious activities according to regulations must still take into account the educational, work productivity, and worship requirements of the population.