Places of worship prepare to resume in level three

“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.” These were the words of president Cyril Ramaphosa during his national address on Tuesday night, 26 May announcing that places of worship will be allowed to open their doors from 1 June as the country enters level three of the lockdown.

Places of worship may reopen, subject to strict restrictions. Social distancing will have to be observed, and all worshippers and participants will have to wear face masks, in line with the current regulations. Services rendered by religious leaders, including spiritual counselling to individual congregants at their homes, will also fall under the essential service category under lockdown level three.

“Religious organisations must put protocols in place for, among other things, thoroughly cleaning and sanitising places of worship before and after services. And faith communities must ensure that any religious rituals that carry even the slightest possibility of exposing worshippers to risk should be avoided,” said Ramaphosa.

Pastor Donovan Anderson of The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa in Wentworth has welcomed the president’s decision, saying that he is glad that family, friends and congregants will be able to meet again even under the strict restrictions. “We will be opening next week as per the Covid-19 guidelines. There will be 50 members allowed inside the church and to accommodate our people, we are planning to hold two services. The church will be cleaned and sanitised, hands will be sprayed upon entering and all members to have masks. We will have a co-coordinator to help everything in check. We will make sure that as a church we follow the required regulations,” he said, adding that he does however find the restriction against singing in church quite a difficult one to accept.

The Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramoniar Temple said that it will also be adhering to set protocols.
“To say we live in unprecedented times, is both true and also an understatement it is nevertheless important to understand that this pandemic has had the most significant impact on the religious community of our country. The idea that people’s spiritual needs are not paramount at a time like this is an understatement, especially given they are isolated, lonely, have lost loved ones or jobs, and are fearful of what the future holds. Some people need basic assistance with things as simple as grocery hampers and prayer, and temples can be their only lifeline. Significantly the practical contribution of the faith community to the current crisis has largely been neutralised by the current regulations and restrictions on movement and gathering and we are glad that these restrictions have been removed,” said chairperson Sidney Govindsamy.

The Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramonior Temple.

As the temple prepares to re-open its doors, the following measures and guidelines will be put in place to ensure devotees are safe: Prayer services and worship will continue, but limited to 50 people. Social distancing will to be observed and worshippers will have to wear face masks when entering the temple. All devotees will be sanitised before entrance to the temple. A full sanitising process will start before the reopening, daily cleaning and sanitising places before and after services. All temperatures will be checked and screening recorded for traceability and a full risk assessment will be conducted.

“Prayer helps to bring every available resource to bear and connected to god as we face this crisis together. For some people, it is actually like a ray of hope it makes them feel as if someone is out there to protect them from all the miseries and sorrow. Take heed of all precautions and be safe,” added Govindsamy.

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