Faith-based organizations have welcomed the president’s move to allow more people to gather at places of worship during the Easter period.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday night that religious gatherings would be restricted to a total number of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors – an increase in numbers.
Director of the Jesuit Institute, Russell Pollitt, said that many in the faith community were hoping that it would be full capacity but the reality was that we’re living in a time where one needed to be cautious.
“We welcome the increase in numbers even though we’re a little bit disappointed they didn’t get full capacity but I think this is about a greater good than simply just the churches themselves. This is about the whole country.”
He said that a number of churches had been implementing health measures, adding that people had to register to go to church.
“There’s a record of the people who have registered, they have to sanitize, their temperatures are taken, the social distancing is very clearly marked on the benches or chairs and even down the aisles.”
The South African Council of Churches said that religious leaders asked for half of the venue during discussions with the government and now with the new figures, most churches would be comfortable with having 250 people indoors.
-EWN
In other news – Muvhango actress Zonke Mchunu (Imani) beaten at shopping mall for stealing people’s husbands
Muvhango actress Zonke Mchunu, who plays Imani in the drama, is in a state of shock after she nearly lost an eye.
This after a woman who accused her of being a man snatcher chased her out of a mall and attacked her “for stealing James from Marang”. Learn More
