Zim churches reconvene

Harare(New Ziana)-Churches in Harare on Sunday reconvened after over two months of suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zimbabwe introduced a total lockdown starting March 30th, which suspended religious gatherings as part of wider measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.

Funeral gatherings were allowed but limited to only 50 people.

While funerals were exempt from the lockdown, numbers of attendance did not exceed 50.

As a result, churches resorted to conducting church services online on platforms such as You Tube and Facebook.

Zimbabwe is currently on level 2 of a nationwide lockdown meant to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

But on Friday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa lifted the suspension on gatherings for the purpose of worship though only fifty people should be in attendance and in full compliance with all the Covid-19 prevention measures such as social distancing.

The easing of Covid-19 regulations took into account the current spike in the number of Covid-19 infections, being spurred by returning citizens.

To date, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Zimbabwe stands at 356 including 4 deaths.

A survey conducted by New Ziana showed that some churches had re-opened their doors to the worshippers in groups of 50.

End Time Message, just outside town and Kingdom Prosperity Ministries in the Central Business District were some of the churches which conducted the first church services with congregants in attendance.

Kingdom Prosperity Ministries leader Apostle Rodney Chipoyera told his congregants who convened for the service that the church would starting next Sunday hold several services in line with Covid-19 regulations.

“I am excited that next week Sunday, we will be having our official services adhering to limitations set by authorities of 50 people.

“We will be adhering to those laws; we look forward to getting in touch with individual church members telling them their slots which they will come in. We will be having several services throughout Sunday,” he said as he began his sermon.

However some churches like Roman Catholic Church were on Sunday still holding online services only with congregants yet to be allowed in church.

New Ziana