South Africa Eases Restrictions for Religious Houses

• South Africa Eases Restrictions for Religious Houses

South Africa, Africa’s second-largest economy on Tuesday eased lockdown restrictions for churches and other places of worship as South Africa continues to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the new policy adjustment expected to take effect from June will be limited to 50 people per gathering.

“This pandemic has … taken a toll on us emotionally and spiritually. It has shaken our sense of well-being and security. Many of us are anxious and fearful of both the present and the future,” Ramaphosa said in a televised address.

“We have a responsibility to…take care of the spiritual, psychological and emotional well-being of all South Africans.”

Ramaphosa added that religious houses must maintain social distance and ensure worshipers wear masks to further reduce the spread of the virus.

He, however, encourages religious houses in the country to remove some practices that may lead to the spread of the virus or violate social distancing policy.

The coronavirus has infected at least 23,615 people in Africa’s most industralised nation and killed over 500 people with around 12,700 recovered patients.

Since the virus first broke out in Wuhan, China, it has infected more than 5.5 million people and caused over 350,000 deaths globally.