COVID-19: We’ll still worship God online – Otabil’s ICGC

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The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) has announced to its members that it will continue to do virtual services, despite the re-opening of places of worship.

The church, which is headed by Pastor Mensa Otabil, said all of its branches remain closed throughout the month of June as it assesses the COVID-19 situation.

“No ICGC local assembly shall be open to run in-person church services until so advised by the Presbytery.

“All ICGC local assemblies will continue to fellowship together on-air and online as we join the General Overseer on Sunday for services as we do now,” a statement signed by Rev. Morris Appiah, General Secretary, said.

“We are mindful of the need for our congregations to gather and worship freely and openly. However, the current situation demands that we also consider the health and safety of all congregants. I entreat you all to keep praying fervently for the church, Ghana and the nations. I’m convinced we’ll come out of this better and stronger”, the statement added.

The ICGC joins the Maker‘s House Chapel among others who have told their congregants to still stay at home to worship online.

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.

However, in a statement on Monday, the Head Pastor for Makers House Chape, Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye, said they remain closed until the restrictions are eased further due to their numbers.

“Looking at Our Congregation size, Number of services required,  Health of the active players in a service, Overhead cost, Pressure on equipment and facility, The logistics to put in place, i.e, writing of names per service and submitting it to the authorities, all the COVID-19 protocols.

“I deem it fit to announce to you that TMH (Destiny Arena) will remain closed for some time until we have clarity and the sanctions relaxed some more. I will entreat all of you to bear the church and its membership in prayer,” he said in a statement.

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