Regulations on religious gatherings during the Easter period, here’s what you need to know
South Africans around the country are eagerly anticipating the
mini break over the Easter Holidays and while the country’s lockdown alert
remains at level one, there are a number of adjusted regulations to help curb
COVID-19 infection numbers.
The Easter period will see millions of South African observe religious gatherings around the country.
In an address to the nation on Tuesday evening, Ramaphosa urged South Africans to gather with caution.
Gatherings over this period will be restricted to a total number of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors.
“Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used,” Ramaphosa said.
He adds that congregants should not gather outside their usual places of worship, and people must go home and not sleep over after services.
“We continue to urge all South Africans to avoid gatherings if they are in a vulnerable group, such as the elderly and those with co-morbidities. We also urge that gatherings should take place in outdoor venues, which are significantly safer than gathering indoors.
These measures on the size of gatherings within the next 15 days based on an assessment on the state of the pandemic and the extent of compliance with health protocols.
He expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the faith community who have engaged positively with government.
“There is a common appreciation that we must do all we can to support our people to exercise their religious freedom and keep our country safe.”
