S. Sudan clerics demand end to COVID-19 lockdown

JUBA – South Sudan Council of Churches, an ecumenical body comprising of seven-member churches has called on  the National Taskforce on COVID-19 to lift the ban on public worship on Sundays.

The demand  came amid one month partial lockdown imposed by the National Taskforce on COVID-19 last week, banning social gathering, and religious prayers, following a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in the country.

Most Rev. Justine Badi Arama, Primate of Episcopal Church of South Sudan described the banned of worshiping on Sundays was a harsh decision on churches.

“Banning of Sunday church services seems to be rather harsh for the church institutions, and we appeal that such restrictions are relaxed for the activities of the church to operate at half of normal capacity,” said Badi during a press conference at the office of South Sudan Council of Churches last week.

Arama reiterated the church’s willingness to stick to COVID-19 protocols once The veto is lifted on Sunday’s prayers.

“The churches will adhere to the standard operating procedures and protocols announced by the National Taskforce on COVID-19, that is a compulsory wearing of face masks, social distancing, no shaking of hands, sanitizing, and regular washing of hands,” he said.

He  urged the public to strictly observe the precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus.

“As the surge of the pandemic is on rise, we strongly urge our people to strictly observe the standard operating procedures more than ever before to keep safe,” he said.

However, Catholic Archdioceses of Juba on Friday shut down all Sunday services in Juba and across the country.