Indonesia's religious affairs minister has called on people to pray at home during Eidul Azha next week to avoid the risk of spreading the coronavirus, Reuters reports.

Fuelled by the spread of the more virulent Delta variant, Indonesia has repeatedly reported record infections and Covid-19 deaths in recent weeks, prompting some health experts to declare the country Asia's new epicentre for the virus.

Travel after Ramazan in May was partly blamed for igniting the outbreak and religious affairs minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has issued a circular asking people to avoid travel and gatherings for the upcoming Eid holiday.

"When the government puts out regulations that protect the people, it's mandatory," he said. The circular also called for animal sacrifices, traditionally carried out at this time, to not be done with big crowds.