Hundreds of Muslims ignored social distancing by packing close together to attend Friday prayers in Indonesia, as the country surpassed the Philippines for the most coronavirus infections in South-East Asia.
The worshippers were pictured at the Islamic Center mosque in Lhokseumawe, Aceh province, the northernmost part of the island of Sumatra.
The Acehnese Muslims – who are native to Aceh- were seen close together as they stood alongside each other before kneeling down to pray. Very few were wearing masks, despite the infection fears.
On Friday, officials in the country reported 407 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number to 5,923. A total of 420 people have died in the country, with the country’s health ministry saying 42,000 people have been tested.
Hundreds of Muslims ignored social distancing by packing close together to attend Friday prayers in Indonesia, as the country surpassed the Philippines for the most coronavirus infections in South-East Asia
The worshippers were pictured at the Islamic Center mosque in Lhokseumawe, Aceh province, the northernmost part of the island of Sumatra
The Acehnese Muslims – who are native to Aceh- were seen close together as they prayed on their knees side by side. Very few were wearing masks, despite the infection fears
The infection rate in Indonesia has now surpassed that of the Philippines, which has seen 5,878 confirmed cases and 387 deaths.
The country’s Government announced on Friday plans to expand tax incentives to manufacturing industries to prevent ‘massive bankruptcy’ due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said Indonesia’s economy faces a ‘huge shock’ due to an expected global recession, in addition to the hit it will take from the restrictions on people’s mobility that will hurt domestic demand for products, services and fuels.
On Friday, officials in the country reported 407 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number to 5,923. A total of 420 people have died in the country, with the country’s health ministry saying 42,000 people have been tested
The infection rate in Indonesia has now surpassed that of the Philippines, which has seen 5,878 confirmed cases and 387 deaths
‘The state budget will try to provide support so that the shock does not disrupt or does not cause massive bankruptcy,’ Indrawati told an online news conference.
Indonesia, the largest economy in South-East Asia, may face a recession due to the virus outbreak, but the government is still assuming 2020 GDP growth of 2.3 per cent as its baseline scenario, Indrawati said.
The tax incentives Indonesia currently gives to some manufacturing industries will be extended to sectors such as food, trade, telecommunication, forestry, logistics, construction, tourism, transportation and renewable energy, the finance ministry’s tax chief, Suryo Utomo, said.
Sectors that are affected by depressed global prices such as plantations, mineral and coal mining, and oil and gas will also be included, Utomo said.
The country’s Government announced on Friday plans to expand tax incentives to manufacturing industries to prevent ‘massive bankruptcy’ due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: Worshippers in Aceh sit on their knees as they pray on Friday
The worshippers had gathered despite fears about the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed 387 lives so far
Earlier this month, panic-stricken passengers on a ferry preparing to dock in the city of Maumere, were seen diving overboard after word got out that coronavirus carriers were on the ship.
Footage showed passengers taking the extreme action of hurling themselves overboard as people were preparing to disembark the vessel.
Passengers swam ashore after authorities sought to block the vessel docking due to fears of suspected coronavirus cases.
Indonesia has been hit hard by coronavirus and has the most cases in South-East Asia