Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu. COURTESY PHOTO.
The President of Zambia Edgar Chagwa Lungu has decided to reopen churches with a condition that they adhere to prevention measures like social distancing, hand washing and wearing of masks.
He made the announcement on Friday much as the country had recorded eight new cases of the novel coronavirus in 24 hours, bringing the total confirmed cases to 84, with 37 recoveries and 3 deaths.
President Lungu said people can also resume conducting sporting activities like golf and tennis in non clouded places, but that bars should remain closed.
In the televised address, he further allowed Barbershops and Salons to continue operating but warned that failure to adhere to the health guidelines will attract penalties including the revocation of licenses, according to Lusaka Times.
“Based on the lessons and experiences learnt from the last one month where we have generally done well with containing the COVID-19 pandemic, we now know that we need to be cautious in reopening the key areas of our economy subject to public health regulations, guidelines and certification.We are still determining the extent of the disease through escalated testing and screening to assess when we shall reopen our economy fully,” President Lungu said in his address.
“I have decided that some activities such as the following may continue being undertaken normally subject to adhering to public health regulations, guidelines and certifications: Places of worship may congregate while observing social distancing, mandatory face masks and sanitizing and hand washing guidelines; sporting activities such as golf and tennis, which do not involve physical contact between players where the sport is played in non-crowded space, can begin to be played but bars in those premises will remain closed; barbershops and salons may continue to operate with strict adherence and observing social distancing and regular sanitizing and hand washing,” said President Lungu.
Directive splits Churches
Reports have emerged that a section of churches in Zambia will remain closed despite the Presidential directive.
Archbishop of Lusaka Alick Banda issued a statement saying public prayer services will not resume until “a clear guideline is given by the authorities”.
Zambian politician and religious minister Nevers Mumba condemned the directive saying “we should not risk our people’s lives.”
“I know that some sections of the society and especially the liberal church might disagree with this and cite various reasons why we must be celebrating as the church. Our position is that nobody knows the direction, speed and momentum that this deadly Corona Virus pandemic is going to take. It is therefore more expedient even for the body of believers (the church) to treat this as a plague. We should not risk our people’s lives,” he said.
“We call ourselves a Christian Nation and we have prayed and stopped COVID-19 from having the devastating effects on the lives of our people as we have no capacity to deal with it in large numbers. We believe that this is true, but we must claim the blood of Jesus on the door posts of our hearts, and stay in doors on lock down, until the death angel passes. Only in this way shall Zambia be Saved from the extreme spread of the virus,” he added.
In a message to Adventist members in Zambia, Union President, Dr H. Akombwa said the Church will wait for further guidance before restarting meetings.
According to Lusaka Times, even Muslims in Lusaka through the Lusaka Muslim Society have said Mosques under its jurisdiction shall remain closed until clear guidelines are issued.
Religious Affairs Minister takes action
Zambia’s Religious Affairs Minister Rev. Godfridah Sumaili said on Saturday he will hold a meeting with church leaders to provide further guidance on the reopening of Churches.
“Following the pronouncement by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia to allow churches to worship normally subject to observing the measures put in place by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs will give more clarity by outlining what is expected of the churches to ensure protection of lives and prevention of human to human transmission. This will be done in Consultation with the Ministry of Health and the church mother bodies and other Religions Organizations,” read a message from her office.
Rev. Sumaili further revealed, “We profusely thank His Excellency the President for His wise leadership in this trying time and the respect and confidence he has in our spiritual leadership.”
