City
Epaper

Indonesian President's Eid 'open house' cancelled

By IANS | Published: May 22, 2020 2:35 PM

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo will not open the presidential palace to the public during Eid, which falls on Sunday ...

Open in App

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo will not open the presidential palace to the public during Eid, which falls on Sunday in the country, due to social distancing rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tradition, referred to as open house, sees the President meet the public for a brief period of time, the BBC reported.

People can usually shake hands with the leader and First Lady and eat a light meal at the palace afterwards.

Last year, thousands of people waited their turn to meet the president.

Those waiting were hosted by palace staff in an air-conditioned tent, complete with snacks and entertainment.

With this year's pandemic, the tradition simply wouldn't fit with the government's own recommendations to stay at home and maintain social distancing in public places, said the BBC report.

Muslims in the country have also been urged to forgo mass Eid prayers at mosques or open fields.

They have been told not to return to their hometowns or villages and to move their celebrations with their loved ones online.

Indonesia recorded its biggest daily jump of positive COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total cases to 20,162.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: bbcJoko WidodoAustralia broadcasting corporationBbc radioBroadcasting corporation
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalTom Cruise 'working diligently' on his planned space movie

CricketCLOSE-IN: West Indies cricket - How the cookie crumbles (IANS column)

InternationalUK parliamentary panel report warns of national security threats from China; calls govt’s approach “inadequate”

InternationalCops to probe ex-BBC British Sikh presenter for harassing over 20 women

PoliticsG7 members to ratify long-term Ukraine security arrangement at NATO Summit

International Realted Stories

InternationalEmirate of Ajman records 7 pc growth in tourism revenue in Q1-24

InternationalUN demands better protection for journalists on environment beat

InternationalMuslim Council of Elders organises seminar on women's rights at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

InternationalUAE: Sharjah Consultative Council committee reviews works of Sharjah Health Authority

InternationalSharjah Petroleum Council announces discovery of new reserves at Al Hadiba gas field