An Indonesian Catholic bishop announced the cancelation of the religious procession during this year’s Holy Week observance in the province of East Nusa Tenggara due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
On March 18, Bishop Fransiskus Kopong Kung of Larantuka issued a circular announcing the cancelation of the “Samana Santa” (Holy Week) procession in April.
The prelate cited the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in East Nusa Tenggara as the reason for the cancelation of the traditional Holy Week observance.
Last week, the Indonesia government noted an upward trend in COVID-19 cases in four provinces — Aceh, North Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara.
Although the four provinces are experiencing an uptick in cases, a downward trend has been noted in other parts of the country.
Indonesia on Monday, reported 4,699 new COVID-19 cases, raising its tally of infections to 5,967,182.
The country’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from COVID-19 rose by 154 to 153,892, while 20,888 more people recovered from the disease during the past 24 hours.
“In the interests of safety and health of all citizens, we have decided to cancel the devotional procession of the Semana Santa tradition in Larantuka, Konga, Wureh this year,” Bishop Fransiskus Kopong Kung said in his circular.
