Staff Reporter
Places of worship across the country have been allowed to re-open under strict conditions after being forced to keep their doors locked for about two months due to the national lockdown.
President Cyril Ramaphosa however said all religious gatherings will be limited to no more than 50 people while social distancing as well as good hygienic standards must be observed at all times.
“After consideration following consultation with our religious leaders, we have therefore determined that as part of the regulations for Alert Level 3, the current restrictions on congregational worship will be eased in a carefully measured way,” he said in a televised national address Tuesday evening.
South Africa is expected to move to Level 3 on June 1 which will result in the opening up of the economy and the removal of a number of restrictions on the movement of people.
Religious gatherings had been left out when the adjustments for Level 3 were announced last week.
“Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other recognised places of worship may resume services, but these will be limited in size to 50 people or less depending on the space available,” Ramaphosa said.
“Social distancing will have to be observed and all worshippers and participants will have to wear face masks in line with the current regulations,” he added.
The president said the tight restrictions are necessary if the country is to prevent infections from rising, adding all religious organisations must put protocols in place for, among other things, thoroughly cleaning and sanitising places for worship before and after services.
“Our faith communities must ensure that any religious rituals that carry even the slightest possibility of exposing worshippers to risk should be avoided, and that where they form an essential part of religious practice, that sanitisation is paramount,” he pointed out.
Religious leaders, according to Ramaphosa, will be recognised as essential religious frontline workers for the purposes of spiritual counselling to members of their faith organisations.
They will also be allowed to continue officiating at funerals of no more than 50 people, he added.
The president also declared Sunday a national day of prayer in light of the fight against COVID-19.
South Africa now has over 20 000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and close to 500 people have succumbed to the disease.
More than 11 000 people have recovered.