The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people celebrated this year’s Independence Day, as they were prohibited from gathering in crowds as in previous years. Traders of areca trees, flags and other Independence Day items lost a significant amount of earnings as many neighborhoods as well as private and government institutions did not organize the usual Independence Day events like pole climbing and other games.

Absent, too, were the flag-hoisting ceremonies in schools and offices, a perennial feature in previous years. In the Merdeka Palace, the flag-hoisting team consisted of just eight members, unlike in previous years when there were dozens of people involved.

But there were still many people who did not want to completely forgo the usual cheerful moments of the Independence Day celebration amid this pandemic.

Events such as decorated bike parades, flag games, cracker eating competitions and other events, could still be seen in a number of neighborhoods and tourist spots, although participants still abided by the health protocols. The Jakarta Post presents a number of those events through these images.