Guidelines to re-opening of churches, mosques, temples

M

Mishale

Elder Lister
Places of worship to re-open next week
Tuesday July 07 2020

basilica

An online mass at the Holy Family Basilica on April 14, 2020 during Easter Sunday. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Summary

  • The reopening will be in four phases, with the first one commencing next week.
  • The interfaith council, led by Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria, has left it to individual centres to decide if faith leaders over 58 years can still oversee worship proceedings.

The interfaith council appointed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi and his Health counterpart Mutahi Kagwe has recommended that places of worship re-open on July 14.
The reopening will be in four phases, with the first one commencing next week.

Guidelines to re-opening of churches, mosques, temples and others next week include:
  • Handwashing/sanitiser facilities
  • Wearing of proper facemasks at all times
  • Social distancing of 1.5 metres
  • Maximum of 100 people per service
  • Age limit of 13-58 years. Sick and elderly to stay home
  • One hour per service (religious places can have several services per day)
  • Regular cleaning of places of worship
  • Sanitising shared items
  • Avoidance of unnecessary contact
  • Use of thermal guns

AGE LIMITS
https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news...-s-tough-rules-for-reopening-churches-1446308
The interfaith council, led by Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria, has left it to individual centres to decide if faith leaders over 58 years can still oversee worship proceedings.

In his address to the nation yesterday, President Uhuru Kenyatta had said that congregants above the age of 58 years and below 13 years should not attend in-person services. Persons with underlying conditions are also not advised to congregate.

Other guidelines issued by the council today include rethinking of church collections, which usually involves passing of items around to each congregant.
Archbishop Muheria pleaded with congregants to attend the re-opened centres in an orderly manner and comply with regulations.
"We understand the great eagerness and longing we have but with some patience and preparation, we can safely re-unite in our places of worship," he said.

He said there will be inter-faith committees at the County and Sub-county level.

Faith leaders are now charged with ensuring that Covid-19 health guidelines are followed.
The council has also recommended the formation of a Covid-19 response team in each congregation.

www.nation.co.ke

Nation - Breaking News, Kenya, Africa, Politics, Business, Sports | HOME

Nation.Africa brings the Latest News from Kenya, Africa and the World. Get live news and latest stories from Politics, Business, Technology, Sports and more.
www.nation.co.ke www.nation.co.ke

are you happy with the measure for reopening of Churches?
do you feel discriminated or thankful for being ordered to stay at home?
in the church/place of worship you attended, are the Youth or those less than 55 years capable or equipped to run the church?
if you are a pastor/preacher/imam/religious leader, do you feel comfortable leaving the running of the church to someone else? do you trust them with the offerings collected?
 
Covid-19: Opposition after Uhuru's tough rules for reopening churches

Tuesday July 07 2020

Church

An empty Anglican Church of Kenya’s St Matthew’s Cathedral in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, as pictured on March 29, 2020 following a directive banning gatherings to curb the spread of Covid-19. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Summary
  • Christians and Muslims have celebrated the announcement to reopen the places of worship, saying their closure for three months negatively affected families and the public’s spiritual wellbeing.
  • President Uhuru Kenyatta said there must be strict conformity with all applicable guidelines, including those developed by the interfaith council.

Members of the public have questioned the criteria for the phased reopening of places of worship amid the Covid-19 pandemic, saying it is unfair to limit the number of worshippers per service to 100.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Monday that there must be strict conformity with all applicable guidelines, including those developed by the interfaith council.
In his speech to the nation on Monday, the President also said the services will last just one hour.

Christians and Muslims have celebrated the announcement to reopen the places of worship, saying their closure for three months negatively affected families and the public’s spiritual wellbeing.
But some argue that the restrictions will limit the freedom of worship.

NUMBERS
South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro noted some can accommodate up to 2,000 people.

“The President’s speech was good, and as MPs we welcome it, but what is not clear is the issue of curfew and restricting the number of people who attend church services” he said.

He said the number should not be restricted but that anti-virus rules must be followed strictly.

North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko said, “What surprised me is restricting church services to 100 people. The number of people attending services should be guided by the size of the building.”

In Homa Bay, pentecostal church leaders said many will be denied the opportunity to meet for services.

Bishop Dominique Ochoo, County Director of the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches (KNCPC), said, “There are churches with many members who all want to worship. Restricting the number of worshipers to 100 will deny many people access to the church,” he lamented.

He added that most churches have services that run for more than two hours so faithful will be unable to “worship properly” in an hour.

“We are ready to follow all the guidelines set by the government to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. All pentecostal churches have agreed that their members will maintain social distance and only allow adults to worship. But we are requesting the President to loosen the restrictions further,” said Mr Ochoo.

In Vihiga, Agape Fellowship Center’s Presiding Bishop Evans Achanga also said the numbers of worshippers should depend on the sizes of premises.

Mr Achanga also asked the government to supply churches with thermo guns when they reopen in three weeks.


'POSITIVE GESTURE'
In Kakamega, however, Sheikh Abdallah Ateka, Chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya welcomed the move wholeheartedly, saying precautions will be taken to protect worshippers in mosques.

In Siaya, Bondo ACK Diocese Bishop David Kodia said, “We are happy with the decision. It is a big relief to rural churches where congregations are never of high numbers. It is a step in the right direction even for urban churches that will have to stagger services,” he said.

In Kisumu County, Barack Okumu, the Lay Pastoral Council of ArchDiocese of Kisumu and Chairman of the Parish, termed the decision a positive gesture by the President.

“Most of our parishes had put safety measures in place anticipating the partial reopening. We want to take the President's guidelines positively,'”said Mr Okumu.

He said the churches will have hand-washing facilities at the gates and ensure social distancing.
“We have set up a committee that will make sure the guidelines are followed,” he said.

“We are also going to get extra seats outside the church so that we space the Christians as much as possible. We shall make sure those coming in and going out don't mingle. Anybody with symptoms of the coronavirus will not be allowed into the church.”

In Migori County, members of the clergy said churches are ready to comply with anti-virus regulations.

“We are really grateful to the President for allowing churches to reopen, even with the pandemic. We will not compromise,” said Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Presiding Bishop John Okinda.

www.nation.co.ke

Nation - Breaking News, Kenya, Africa, Politics, Business, Sports | HOME

Nation.Africa brings the Latest News from Kenya, Africa and the World. Get live news and latest stories from Politics, Business, Technology, Sports and more.
www.nation.co.ke www.nation.co.ke
 
mzeiya said:
Sioni nikienda bado. Online service will do just fine
Click to expand...
hio ndio option poa for atleast a month.
but option itakua labda wakue na servises kaa 5 per day.

but idea ya elders/above 58 kuenda ma asubuhi na the rest jioni pia ni idea poa
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top