Mozambique: Ministry of Justice issues protocol for resuming face-to-face religious services

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Mozambique: Ministry of Justice issues protocol for resuming face-to-face religious services

12:24 CAT | 24 Jul 2020

File photo: O País

The Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs on Wednesday issued the protocols to be observed as a condition for resuming face-to-face religious services. The protocol was sent to the various religious confessions, which are expected to deliver, today, the list of places of worship where conditions are met.

A note entitled ‘Relaxation of Measures for Religious Worship’ from the National Directorate of Religious Affairs lists a total of 15 fundamental conditions for the reopening of face-to-face religious events.

The protocol requires that places of worship have all necessary hygiene conditions, and requires the temperature of each believer to be measured, the mandatory use of masks or visors and demarcation of one-and-a-half metres ‘social distance’ between believers, as well as limits on the total number of participants for each religious service.

In the case of Christian churches, the protocol requires a maximum of five services per day, with a duration of up to one hour each, and additionally imposes the requirement of a rug or blanket soaked in disinfectant.

According to the note, choirs in churches are forbidden, and musical instruments must be disinfected for each service and played by one person only.

Stipulation number 10 requires churches to maintain a mandatory register of participants, with names and contact details, to be kept on file for at least 21 days.

The protocol also states that weddings and baptisms should be held without physical contact between people, and observing the recommended social distancing.

The libraries of religious congregations must remain closed, and attendance at mosques is limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Religious confessions have until today to present their lists of places that meet the protocol requirements. These will then be evaluated by the government prior to the authorisation of any reopening.

Source: O País