The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has inline with the announcement by the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 on the emergence of a second wave of the pandemic issued guidelines to churches.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of the Christian body, Joseph Daramola indicates that all churches are to observe the COVID-19 protocols which include the following:
• 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 he added.
