Jakarta may allow public wedding receptions next week

JAKARTA, Nov 10, 2020, The Jakarta Post. The Jakarta administration may allow couples to hold their wedding receptions at multifunction halls starting next week. The capital had banned public wedding receptions as part of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), allowing only small wedding ceremonies at religious affairs offices (KUA), civil registry offices or the couple’s home, The Jakarta Post reported.

“We are considering to allow wedding ceremonies and receptions in public halls under several terms,” Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com. He added that wedding receptions would contribute to the city’s economic recovery during the outbreak but should adhere to strict health protocols.

Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency acting head Gumilar Ekalaya previously said that the agency would review several requests from the management of multifunction halls to allow them to host wedding receptions. Gumilar said commercial buildings seeking to host wedding receptions must submit a proposal to [the agency] in which they detail their standard procedure and methods for implementing strict health protocols.

They would also need to present a detailed plan for the event. According to agency rules, wedding venues must provide handwashing facilities and hand sanitizer. Wedding organizers would also have to make sure that attendees obey the requirement of wearing masks and keeping a safe physical distance.

“The protocol only allows 25 percent of the total venue’s capacity. The agency will observe whether these rules are being followed during a simulation period,” Gumilar said. Jakarta is the country’s COVID-19 epicenter with a total of 111,120 confirmed cases as of Saturday.