The umbrella Christian body in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued new directives to churches on running worship activities based on the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.
The directives were contained in a statement to InsightnaijaTV on Monday by CAN’s general secretary, Barrister Joseph Bade Daramola.
The statement appealed to all churches to observe all the COVID-19 protocols just as the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has announced the emergence of the second wave of the pandemic.
The protocols include:
• There should be no entry without facemasks. All worshippers including the worship leaders must wear face masks. There should be no exceptional cases.
• People who are sick or too old should stay at home. There should be temperature screening at every entry point to the Church.
. Ensure adequate ventilation in halls of worship, open windows, and doors for air to circulate in and out freely and if possible avoid the use of air conditioners
• Hand washing facilities and hand sanitizers should be provided at point of entries and strategic points within the Church premises.
• Attendance should not exceed 1/3 of the sitting capacity of every Church. Churches can make use of their educational facilities and multi purpose halls to avoid overcrowding in the main church auditorium.
• Church auditorium should be clearly marked such that people sit and maintain two metres distance from each other
• There should be no form of direct contact. Practices such as handshakes as peace signs are discouraged.
. Sanitizers should be made available in all the rest rooms.
• Practices that require sharing of materials should be limited. Those using microphones must sanitise their hands before use.
• Worship places should be disinfected routinely, before and after worship.
. Ensure separate entry and exit points in every Church to avoid overcrowding at entry and exit points.
. Every church should make use of medical personnel to assist.
. We should be praying for the end of the pandemic in all our worships and very soon, it will become history in Jesus Name.
