“No Crowd Dancing and Waving of Handkerchiefs”– Government Outlines Rules for Reopening Churches, Mosques

Additional guidelines have been spelt out by authorities for the easing of restrictions on religious activities in Ghana

President Akufo-Addo on Sunday [May 31, 2020], gave a greenlight for religious activities to commence from June 5, 2020.

He however noted that, the reopening of religious centres will be observed in strict compliance to safety protocols.

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Churches, Mosques in Ghana to Reopen from June 5

In addition to already laid down instructions, the Minister for Chieftancy and Religious Affairs, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi in a press briefing today [June 1, 2020] outlined some specific rules and protocols for the reopening of the these religious centres.

Churches

• Thermometer guns to check the temperature of congregants before entry
• Ensure no masks no entry Policy
• Provision of handwashing facilities with running water and soap, and or FDA approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Provision of adequate waste management facilities ie bin, cups, single used tissues
• Provision of adequate toilet facilities for use by members
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently used communal places i.e. toilet surfaces and frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs or handles preferably, every 1-2 hours depending on rate of visitation
• Designate a holding room or area where a person who becomes sick at the premises or at the event can be isolated from others while making arrangement for evacuation
• Regular disinfection of Churches or venues used by churches preferably once every month i.e fumigation and disinfection must be carried with very recognized entities
• Trained cleaner with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment and cleaning items to clean facilities regularly and handle waste appropriately
• Provide adequate ventilation i.e open windows to allow for maximum circulation of fresh air, if possible, avoid confined air condition rooms
• Display approved health promotion materials on Covid-19 at vantage points to remind congregants to keep to social distancing protocols, wearing of the mask, regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquettes
• Ensure no handshaking, no hugging, no spitting policy at all times
• Follow established evacuation procedures
• Form Covid-19 taskforce, comprising of members who are preferably health workers, and must be trained in health promotion, and preventive measures, infection prevention and control, and evacuation procedures by the Ghana Health Service (the taskforce should call 112 0r 311 to for support to enable evacuation anyone develops fever, coughs and difficulty in breathing during service
• Unwell persons are not allowed to attend Churches, older persons with underlying medical conditions, heart diseases, diabetes, liver disease and asthma are advised to stay away from church service
• Sharing personal items such as watches, pen, phones, Jewelleries, should be abolished
• If an individual is confirmed positive for covid-19, all contacts must be traced and screened
• No crowd Dancing and waving of Handkerchiefs during Church Services
• Sanitize microphones, immediately after its use; all who speak and sing in churches, must wear facemasks during service
• Discourage Singing in groups. Pre-recorded songs or solos should be used
• Pre-package communion bread should be picked up by members at the point of entry
• Place offering bowls at the entrance and exit points for members to give offering and tithes when entering or. On their way out of Church premises
•   Encourage cash transfers by mobile money or mobile banking as source of giving offerings
• In observance of social distancing protocols laying on of hands should not be allowed
• Spend at least five minutes of Church service time to educate member’s on Covid-19
• Provide separate sitting for the aged and families that are together

The church is encourage to mobilize its resources to help individuals in need including offering its health facilities

Mosques

• Thermometer guns to check the temperature of congregants before entry
• Ensure no masks no entry Policy
• Provision of handwashing facilities with running water and soap, and or FDA approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Provision of adequate waste management facilities ie bin, cups, single used tissues
• Provision of adequate toilet facilities for use by members
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently used communal places i.e. toilet surfaces and frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs or handles preferably, every 1-2 hours depending on rate of visitation
• Designate a holding room or area where a person who becomes sick at the premises or at the event can be isolated from others while making arrangement for evacuation
• Regular disinfection of Mosques or venues used by worshippers preferably once every month i.e fumigation and disinfection must be carried with very recognized entities
• Trained cleaner with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment and cleaning items to clean facilities regularly and handle waste appropriately
• Provide adequate ventilation i.e open windows to allow for maximum circulation of fresh air, if possible, avoid confined air condition rooms
• Display approved health promotion materials on Covid-19 at vantage points to remind people to keep to social distancing protocols, wearing of the mask, regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquettes
• Ensure no handshaking, no hugging, no spitting policy at all times
• Follow established evacuation procedures
• Form Covid-19 taskforce, comprising of members who are preferably health workers, and must be trained in health promotion, and preventive measures, infection prevention and control and evacuation procedures by the Ghana Health Service (the taskforce should call 112 0r 311 to for support to enable evacuation anyone develops fever, coughs and difficulty in breathing during the gathering)
• Unwell persons are not allowed to attend Mosques, older persons with underlying medical conditions, heart diseases, diabetes, liver disease and asthma are advised to stay away from going to the Mosque
• Sharing personal items such as watches, pen, phones, Jewelleries, should be abolished
• If an individual is confirmed positive for covid-19, all contacts must be traced and screened
• Ensure each worshiper uses their personal masks or disinfected masks provided by the mosque before and after
• Ablution should be performed at the house by adherents before entering the mosque
• Use easily removable footwear such as slippers
• Allow people to come out of the mosque to collect slippers one after the other instead of crowding at the entrance
• Put a bowl at the entrance of the mosque for “offering”
• Sanitize microphones immediately after use
• Spend at least five minutes of time to educate mosque attendees on Covid-19

All other religious organisations including Traditional Religions are to follow the general safety protocols.