This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
Published on June 6, 2020, as the world grappled with the Covid-19 pandemic, President Uhuru Kenyatta's speech hinted at the possibility of reopening Kenya's places of worship. However, neighboring countries have already taken steps to ease restrictions on worship places.
President John Magufuli of Tanzania, for instance, has been actively involved in religious activities, even attending church services with a large congregation. In a speech two weeks ago, Magufuli announced plans to reopen schools, universities, and resume international flights, as well as sporting activities.
On the other hand, Nigeria lifted restrictions on religious gatherings on June 2, allowing mosques, churches, and hotels to reopen with certain conditions. Worshippers must wear face masks, maintain social distancing, and properly wash or sanitize their hands before joining their congregation.
Similarly, Tunisia reopened its mosques after nearly three months of closure, while South Korea's largest churches have been reopening with social distancing measures in place. In the United States, President Donald Trump declared churches, mosques, and synagogues 'essential services' and threatened to quash governors who refuse to reopen them.
