LIMPOPO – Following the widespread international outbreak of the Corona virus (COVID-19), the President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, 15 March prohibited the gathering of more that 100 people as a measure to help curb the spread of the virus.
After the president’s announcement it was not confirmed whether the church would still continue with its Easter service or not.
The church in a statement late yesterday, suspended all choirs, meetings and gatherings until further notice as well as the Easter service which would have been hosted between 10 April (Good Friday) and 12 April (Easter Sunday) this year.
This comes after Limpopo in recent days recorded its first case of COVID-19, a medical doctor who had travelled to Europe (France, Spain and The Netherlands).
The doctor is currently in self-quarantine and the department confirmed that they are in contact with him and have started the process of contact referencing to ensure the containment of the virus.
In the meantime, it was also confirmed that all 104 repatriated South Africans, who are currently house at The Ranch Resort, have tested negative for the virus.
General Manager Paul Shearer told Review that the citizens are in good spirits and well-looked after. They will remain at the establishment until the end of their official quarantine period.
11:30
LIMPOPO – After exhausting all avenues yesterday to verify the authenticity of what seemed to be a press statement, this proved otherwise this morning.
Questions whether or not church gatherings will go ahead, remain largely unanswered after the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Sunday announced that gatherings of 100 people of more should be cancelled and as he discouraged non-essential domestic travel.
The presidency planned on hosting a meeting on Thursday, involving church role players.
Prior to the Ramaphosa’s address, the Health MEC hosted various churches in the province along with the South African Council of Churches.
The MEC, pressed on answers as to whether the ZCC Moria gathering was going ahead or not, said representatives of the church asked for more time as it was regarded as an internal church matter.
Contacted for comment, the phone of ZCC Spokesperson, Emmanuel Motolla’s rang unanswered.
We apologise unreservedly for the error and subsequent inconvenience caused.
10:00
LIMPOPO – The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) has suspended all gatherings including the Easter service which attracts around four million churchgoers annually.
Following the outbreak of corona virus (COVID-19), President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, 15 March prohibited the gathering of more that 100 people as a prevention method. After the president’s announcement it was not confirmed whether the church would still continue with its Easter service or not.
This as initially the inter-ministerial team on COVID-19 announced that the church would be supplied with one million leaflets to educate the congregants on the virus. In a meeting earlier the day, Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba met with various churches and the South African Council of Churches in Polokwane, ZCC had not been part of the meeting. Ramathuba said that ZCC had asked for time before they could make an announcement. “We have to respect the church’s wishes.”
In a statement, the church has suspended all choirs, meetings and gatherings until further notice as well as the Easter service which would have been between 10 April (Good Friday) and 12 April (Easter Sunday) this year. This comes after Limpopo recorded its first case of COVID-19, a 28-year-old doctor who travelled to Europe (France, Spain and Netherlands). The doctor is currently in self-quarantine and the department confirmed that they are in contact with him and have started the process of contact referencing to ensure the containment of the virus.
Read more: [WATCH] Coronavirus: 1st case in Limpopo ‘imported’
In the statement the church confirmed that no entry will be permitted into the church, and anyone who wishes to leave the premises will be closely monitor.
