Following President Bio’s television and radio broadcast with regards to a one month extra precautionary measure including a ban on places of worship in order to reduce the recent upsurge of COVID-19 confirmed cases, the Spokesman for NaCOVERC has in a statement said that government is not targeting places of worship for any reason, but rather acting from scientific data on places with huge gathering, at a given time.
Solomon Jamiru who is also Deputy Minister of Information and Communication made this statement over the state national broadcaster, SLBC while clarifying issues as well as ascertaining reasons for government’s action. He added that the public could recall that during the past three weeks confirmed cases of the Corona Virus has increased more than before the first and second wave of the pandemic, and Western Area has become the epicenter of the virus, and based on medical advice, government decided to take these extra precautionary measures for a month to observe and control the spread of the new delta strain of the virus.
Speaking to some Freetonians on the ban of places of worship, Thomas Braima told Awoko that as long as it is in the interest to safeguard and protect citizens from risk of contracting the virus he is ok with the religious ban. Many religious clerics (Muslim/Christian) saw the ban as a way of barring them from worshipping, with some saying praying to God for mercies will help reduce the spread of the virus. Christopher John a member of one of the orthodox churches explained that some religious people are fanatics of their faith noting that God is everywhere, “Yes it is good for us to congregate and praise God, but if the present situation does not permit why (is it that) people don’t want to exercise patience and show understanding”, he noted. Mohamed Sesay a devout Muslim said why should government give preference to restaurant and entertainment spots and put a complete ban on places of worship, “I see it as unfair, especially for our Friday Juma prayers, but we have no option but to heed to the call of government”, Sesay stated.
On Friday before the close of day a notice from the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone stated that with regards to the Presidential address on the one month ban on religious worship and other restrictions, members were not consulted by NaCOVERC before the broadcast, however they are advising and encouraging congregations and denominations to be patient and abide by all COVID-19 emergency rules and regulations, as long as it is for the benefit of the health of all. God is in control and we pray for the end of the epidemic, the notice concluded.
AC/05/07/2021
