The South African government has announced that places of worship will be reopened on June 1.
President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that this is the third phase of actions to ease the lockdown his government imposed on the nation.
President Ramaphosa said when the ban on religious gatherings is lifted, churches, mosques, temples and other recognised places of worship will be required to strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined by government to control the spread of coronavirus.
A maximum of 50 people will be allowed to fellowship at a time. Worshippers will be required to keep their distance too at every meeting.
In addition, worshippers will be expected to wear nose masks as well as wash and sanitise their hands frequently.
South Africans, especially christian leaders have commended government for opening the church once again.
Pastor Jacob Zuma, who is the founder and leader of the International Christian Faith and Liberty Church told Kasatintin.com that:
‘The lockdown was unnecessary…the coronavirus cases went up because government decided to shut down the church which was supposed to pray for the nation during the pandemic. God is bigger than coronavirus’.
Pastor Zuma is not the only one who has prescribed spiritual intervention to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March this year, Tanzania President John Magufuli refused to shut down places of worship over the coronavirus pandemic.
President Magufuli defended his action, saying churches and mosques are the only places where true healing can be found.
He indicated that ‘These Holy places are where God is. My fellow Tanzanians, let us not be afraid of going to praise Him’.
Magufli, during a well-attended church service in Tanzania said that:
‘Corona cannot survive in the body of Christ, it will burn. That is exactly why I did not panic while taking the Holy communion’.
SOURCE: Kasatintin.com
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