COVID-19 rules: CAN cautions churches, members

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, has enjoined Christian faithful to use the reopening of places of worship in the state to exhibit good conduct by strictly observing all the protocols including the washing of hands, social distancing, wearing of face masks and other rules associated with the curbing of the spread of COVID-19.

The state chairman of CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Kaduna, on Wednesday, said, CAN Kaduna state wishes to appreciate the state Governor and the State Standing Committee on COVID-19 for allowing places of worship to reopen from Sunday this week (14th June) after a long and eventful lockdown enforced to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

The statement explained, “We know that people have stayed under restrictions for about 75 days. During the period, many experienced hardships, but it should not be a regrettable experience because it actually helped to reduce the number of persons infected, and we recorded a lower death rate in our dear state.”

The statement said that as the state government allows citizens to resume partial normal life activities, especially resuming church gatherings, CAN, Kaduna state appeals to all faithful and the general public to show good and godly examples.

“The Bible says we should let our light shine that all may see our good works and give glory to God. Accordingly, our people should not be carried away by the joy of lifting the restriction of movement and totally forget health matters, for it is only when there is a life that we can worship and do our businesses,” CAN advised.

CAN, therefore, called on all pastors and church elders to give godly and wise leadership at this delicate time, stressing that churches must continue to observe all protocols and guidelines that have been laid down by the government and NCDC.

“All worshipers should come with their face masks during services. Churches should help to provide face masks to those who do not have and cannot afford.

“Adequate provision of hand sanitizers or handwashing materials should be made available in our homes and churches during our worship services.

“We should maintain good hygiene at all times and observe physical distancing in our sitting arrangements. Worshipers are to sit two meters away from one another.

“Let’s make good use of our members who are medical workers for proper use of Infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of every worshiper,” CAN further advised.