This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
Churches Prepare for Reopening Amid COVID-19 Pandemic ¶
As the government prepares to reopen worship places, churches across Kenya are taking measures to ensure a safe reopening of their services.
On July 6, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that churches and mosques could reopen, but under strict conditions. The conditions include the use of thermoguns, sanitizers, and other protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
One such church is Buyangu Catholic Church in Kakamega diocese, which has laid out measures to ensure the safety of its congregation. Father Wycliffe Shitiavai, the church's priest, said that they had acquired a thermogun, plenty of water, sanitizers, and soaps to keep their congregation safe.
He also disclosed that they had set aside an isolation place in the mission for suspected cases of coronavirus that may arise during the service.
“Some of our members are nurses and clinical officers, and once the thermogun detects abnormal temperature, they will direct the patient to our isolation chamber for further action,” he said.
Shitiavai also said that his ushers would be on the lookout to ensure that persons younger than 13 and older than 58 would not access the church premises.
Another church, Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Kapchemwani centre in Gisambai, has also taken measures to ensure the safety of its congregation. Pastor David Mudavadi said that they had acquired a thermogun, sanitizers, water containers, soaps, and paper towels for easy running of their service.
He also said that they would want to have their church fumigated before and after the service but the scarcity of resources had limited them.
Major Byrum Sunguti of Gimomoi salvation Army in Hamisi sub-county, strictly said that his members had no choice but to follow the guidelines put in place.
“It is very clear, mask is a must, social distancing, washing and sanitizing of the hands must be observed,” he said.
Gisambai Quakers quarterly meeting would be running two sessions a day to avoid overcrowding and breach of the one-metre rule.
“We don’t want to demean or favor some members against others, two sessions a day of worship will try to accommodate a good number,” John Mungata, a reverend, said.
