Rwanda will allow churches to reopen but with strict conditions meant to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The decision came on Wednesday night following a cabinet meeting.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, some of the guidelines for reopening include:
- Churchgoers will now have to be registered at the entrance, maintain 1.5m (4.9ft) distance and must wear masks
- Congregants must not give offerings in cash
- Children under the age of 12 will not be allowed in. But children between the ages of 13 and 18 are allowed to attend but only in the company of a parent or guardian.
The Rwandan Governance Board also urged that every house of prayer must have hand sanitizers, infrared thermometers and measures to uphold the use of face masks. The number of congregants is also very restricted to avoid overcrowding.
Churches, schools, bars, nightclubs and other venues were shut down in mid-March hours after Rwanda’s first COVID-19 infection was confirmed.
Bars and nightclubs will remain closed, much to the dislike of thousands of Rwandans who went online to share their opinions about the church reopenings.
Schools are set to reopen in September.
