Image via: flickr
Image via: flickr
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that religious gatherings will be permitted under Level 3 lockdown, but churches and other places of worship will face strict social-distancing regulations. However, the reaction towards the decision has been fierce, and the president has had to withstand a barrage of insults overnight.
Religious gatherings allowed at Level 3
This is after the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) consulted with religious leaders, and took into consideration several recommendations made in the meeting. Initially due to address the nation on Wednesday, the lockdown briefing was postponed for the second time in two days.
In his address on Tuesday, the president touched on what has been a contentious issue, the prohibition of large gatherings under hard lockdown, which affected religious congregations. Ramaphosa announced that religious gatherings will be allowed to resume, but only if they are limited to under 50 people.
Cold reaction to Ramaphosa’s rules for religious gatherings
EFF: Mbuyiseni Ndlozi slams ‘spineless, directionless’ leadership
“Now, what about all those with COVID-19 who will be flocking to the church to ask for healing. Beyond Holy water & anointing oil, is the laying of hands… by faith. They have surrendered the country to COVID-19! Bloody spineless, old, outdated, tired, and directionless bunch of ANC so-called leaders!”
“How will a church determine which 50 people must come to church? And when the Holy Spirit enters a person, or makes a person fall, how will they ensure social distancing? It has collapsed! He does not care anymore!! There is no leadership in this county. We truly are on our own!”
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
So… what’s next? Gyms, restaurants, sports, clubs & concerts?? If you say churches must open, what grounds do you have to deny these other spaces to also open?
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) May 26, 2020
Our fight against Covid-19 has collapsed because we don’t have leadership in this Ramaphosa wenu!
DA: Shadow trade minister questions why church, religious gatherings get ‘special treatment’
“You can go to church but you can’t get your hair cut? How does this make sense anymore? We would love to see where on government’s scientific COVID-19 model it plots the opening of churches and religious gatherings vs restaurants and hairdressers.”
Dean Macpherson
FF Plus acknowledge the decision ‘must be studied’
“This has always been the Freedom Front Plus stance in the position that churches and religious gatherings, just like businesses, that can meet health rules should be allowed to keep operating services. However, we will look at what details are in the regulations and whether it is practical.”
Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader
One SA Movement: Mmusi Maimane has entered the chat
“I do have serious concerns and reservations about the reopening of churches. The duty of care that a Pastor has in society is that of a good shepherd. It’s a high bar. We have a curve that is not flattening in many parts of the country and that is a serious issue of life and death.”
“High-risk activities for the spread of the virus should not be allowed at this time. Especially when the permission is given haphazardly. I agree with the President that we must all join in prayer to ask for intervention. I do not agree with the announcement to reopen churches and limit them to 50.”
Mmusi Maimane
