In Bireuen, the Meugang Tradition Defeated Pandemic Corona-19.
The Corona-19 Virus Pandemic is sweeping the world, some countries even have to do a lockdown to deal with the deadly virus. The call to maintain health, keep a distance and stay at home and wear masks is still touted by the World Health Organization.
But before Idul Fitri 1 Shawwal 1441 H / 2020 AD, the virus pandemic was defeated by the Meugang tradition in Bireuen Regency. Meugang Tradition is a tradition of buying meat and then cooking the meat and enjoying it with relatives, family and other communities. This tradition has been carried out by the people of Aceh since hereditary.
Welcoming Eid al-Fitr this year, while the world is in the pandemic Corona Virus is attacking, the tradition also continues. The Bireuen people filled the market to buy meat that they would enjoy together, the local government's call for distance, wearing masks and at home did not apply at that time.
The density of people to buy meat is very enthusiastic, they forget the dangers of the Corona Virus pandemic that is attacking the world, without personal protective equipment they are jostling each other to get meat sold by traders for Rp. 180,000 / kg. The local government has issued a prohibition on opening a place to sell meat to traders, they can sell but do not pile up and have to sell in their respective regions. But the ban was not heeded by the traders, they as usual continue to open merchandise in downtown Bireuen.
Tens of tables to sell meat were lined up on the Ex-Bireuen Railway, in the center of Bireuen. The atmosphere of the market is very crowded, filled with Bireuen people to buy meugang meat, people who want to buy meat jostling with each other without jostling, even some people who do not wear masks. That also happened for traders.
With this condition, it is very much feared in the midst of the outbreak of the Corona Virus Outbreak that the community ignores the appeal of the local government. It could be people who are affected by the deadly virus. The decision of the Bireuen Government regarding the prohibition on opening meugang meat selling places is specifically stated in a circular letter on April 14, 2020 number 440/894/2020 concerning the prohibition of opening a special market for meugang day before the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1441 H.
In the Circular, the Acting Regent of Bireuen said that the ban was a follow-up to Government Regulation number 21 of 2020 concerning Large-Scale Social Restrictions in the context of accelerating the handling of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). The purpose of the prohibition is to prevent and anticipate the widespread influence of the Corona virus, especially in Bireuen District.
The Bireuen government only allows meugang meat to be sold at the traditional market location of the respective settlements and villages. "And every livestock that will be slaughtered for meugang day is required to check the health condition by the Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Service team.