Religious groups welcome govt’s announcement

Three religious organisations in the country have welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama allowing houses of worship to reopen their doors to this Friday.

Effective on June 26, 2020, Mr Bainimarama said up to 100 worshippers would be allowed. Mr Bainimarama said the Ministry of Health and Medical Services would meet religious leaders to talk about how the “new normal” could be implemented in houses of worship.

President of the Methodist Church of Fiji Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa said he had communicated the information to all divisional pastors and advised them to set up worship programmes that allowed only 100 people.

“For the time being I have told the divisional pastors that we could look into strengthening worshipping together by different groups like the youth fellowship, Sunday school sessions for our children and the men and women’s fellowship to ensure that we stick to the restriction in place.” Fiji Muslim League president Hafiz Khan said: “I know worshippers are looking forward to go into places of worship, but as for the Fiji Muslim League, we will be mindful of the limitations in terms of members and social distancing.”

Arya Pratinidhi Sabha Media Relations Officer, Kamlesh Arya said the Sabha “believes that we are not out of the woods as yet and whilst the Government has announced some degree of relaxation it is individual responsibility to act responsibly to help in the continued efforts to control and keep the spread of coronavirus at bay.”