Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 23, 2020 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has signalled the go-ahead for worshippers to return to church as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.
Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris announced the new measure during a national address on May 22, 2020. He said that churches are crucial to the lives of residents and he was “so happy” to see their doors reopen for corporate worship beginning this Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, 2020.
Reverend Canon P. Allister Rawlins, Chairman of the St. Kitts Christian Council, welcomed the announcement by the prime minister. He indicated that his organization as well as representatives from the St. Kitts Evangelical Association, their counterpart agencies in Nevis and other faith-based leaders had dialogued productively with officials of the National COVID-19 Task Force over the past weeks. The meetings helped to iron out a draft document outlining the necessary safety protocols to protect worshippers from the dreaded coronavirus.
The discussion on this draft document will continue and will be informed by the experiences of churches that choose to open on the weekend.
“I exalt you, that when your places of worship are opened, you must observe all the protocols including proper sanitizing on entrance and exit, observing all social and physical distancing, and wearing of masks during the entire service etc,” Rev. Canon Rawlins noted.
He added that some churches might not be well-positioned to follow the stipulations at this time. Such institutions are strongly urged to delay opening to ensure that the safety of the congregation, church staff, and others attending the service can be assured.