COVID-19: We’ll open on Sunday – Perez Chapel

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Perez Chapel International has announced all of its smaller branches, but the Dzorwulu Dome will open for service in compliance with the easing of coronavirus-induced restrictions.

“All our branches in Ghana with relatively smaller congregation sizes will remain open and will comply with all the protocols mentioned by the President of the Republic,” a statement said.

However, it said the Dzorwulu Perez Dome will remain closed due to the size of the congregation there.

In the statement, Perez Chapel International said it “wishes to inform its members and the general public that as a follow-up to the speech given by the President of the Republic, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday, 31 May 2020 on the guidelines for the partial opening of churches, the Perez Dome, Dzorwulu, will remain closed for church service until further notice.”

The statement said members and the general public are encouraged to “continue worshiping with us virtually on Precious TV, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter on Bishop Charles Agyinasare’s social media handles and Perez Dome’s handles”.

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday, May 31, 2020 announced religious bodies can now start open services and activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It takes effect Friday, June 5, 2020. Maximum duration of service is an hour.

Speaking in a Sunday night televised address to Ghanaians, the president, however, said religious services at the mosques and churches can commence with a maximum number of 100 congregants at a time.

Churches such as the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), the Maker’s House and the Destiny Empowerment Chapel International have announced they will not hold physical service.

Guidelines

From June 5, 2020, places of worship including churches are allowed to open amid the coronavirus. However, they need to comply with about 20 guildelines.

Here’s are they:

I. Thermometer guns or thermal scanners are to be provided for checking the temperature of congregants at entry points.

II. No mask: No entry Policy to be enforced

III. Provision of handwashing facilities with running water and soap and/or FDA approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

IV. Provision of adequate waste management facilities (bins, cans, bin-liners and single-use tissues).

V. Provision of adequate toilet facilities for use by members.

VI. Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently used communal places (like toilet surfaces) and frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs/handles, preferably every 1-2 hours depending on the rate of utilization.

VII. Designate a holding room or area where a person who becomes sick at the premises/event can be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.

VIII. Regular disinfection of venues used by churches, preferably once every month. For example, fumigation and disinfection must be carried out with recognized entities like Zoomlion.

IX. Trained cleaners with the necessary personal protective equipment and cleaning items to clean the facilities regularly and handle waste appropriately.

X. Provide adequate ventilation, i.e. open windows to allow for the maximum circulation of fresh air, if possible, avoid confined air-conditioned rooms.

XI. Display approved health promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind congregants to keep to social distancing protocols, wearing of the masks, regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquette.

XII. Ensure a No handshake, No hugging and No Spitting policy at all time.

XIII. Follow established evacuation procedures (as outlined in Annex 1) to enable evacuation if a congregant becomes sick during the event and has to be evacuated.

XIV. Form COVID task force comprising of members who are preferably health workers. They must be trained in Health Promotive prevention measures, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Evacuation Procedures by Ghana Health Service.

XV. The COVID task force should Call 112 or 311 for support to enable evacuation if anyone develops fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing during service.

XVI. Unwell Persons are not allowed to attend church

XVII. Older persons and people of any age with underlying medical conditions, heart diseases, diabetes, liver disease, and asthma are advised to stay away from church service

XVIII. Sharing personal items such as watches, jewellery, pens and phones should be discouraged.

XIX. If an individual is confirmed positive for COVID-19, all contacts must be traced and screened.

XX. No crowd dancing and waving of handkerchiefs during church services.

XXI. Sanitize microphones immediately after each use.

XXII. All who speak/sing in churches (including Pastors, Sunday school teachers, Singers and Announcers) must wear facemask during service.

XXIII. Discourage singing in groups. Pre-recorded songs or solos should be used.

XXIV. Pre-packaged communion bread and wine should be picked up by members at the point of entry.

XXV. Place offering bowls at the entrance and exit points for members to give offerings and tithes when entering or on their way out of church premises. Encourage cash transfers via mobile money or mobile banking as forms of giving offerings.

XXVI. In observance of social distancing protocols, laying on of hands should not be allowed.

XXVII. Spend at least 5 minutes of church service time to educate church members on Covid-19.

XXVIII. Provide separate sitting areas for the aged and for families that are together.

XXIX. The church is encouraged to mobilize resources to help individuals in need including offering church health facilities.

Source: Daily Mail GH