The Ministry of Health has issued the protocols for the conduct of churches and religious meetings come Monday, September 6th.
In a release on Saturday evening, the MoH stated:
Religious or Ecclesiastical Organisations will be allowed to conduct religious meetings or services and christening and baptisms in person.
Pursuant to Regulation 3(10) of the Emergency Powers (No.2) Regulations, 2021, with effect from Monday 6th September 2021, the Minister of Health hereby authorises religious or ecclesiastical organisation, to conduct:
1. religious meetings or services in person, where the gathering at any place used for that purpose does not exceed twenty-five percent of the allowed capacity of the place and the religious meetings or services do not exceed one hour,
2. christenings and baptisms in person, where the gathering at any place used for that purpose does not exceed ten persons and the christenings and baptisms do not exceed one hour,
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, Monday through Sunday.
Religious or Ecclesiastical Organisations are reminded that as provided at Regulation 3(5) of the Emergency Powers (No.2) Regulations, 2021, they may continue to conduct funeral services and wedding services in person, where the gathering of persons at any place used for that purpose does not exceed ten persons.
Religious or Ecclesiastical Organisations and their Members are advised to comply strictly with the (other) legal requirement of the Emergency Powers (No. 2) Regulations, 2021, the legal requirements of the Public Health [2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov)] (No.18) Regulations 2021 and the public health guidelines.
Authorisations granted by the Minister of Health pursuant to statements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 remain valid.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor this development and take steps to safeguard the health of the population.
COMMENTS