Rwanda-COVID-19: So, until when churches will stay closed?
By Justin Kayiranga
In some countries churches and religious institutions have resumed their activities after COVID 19 slowed down.
However, in Rwanda, things are different as the government decided to keep religious activities closed regardless of citizens’ voices asking the resumption of these activities.
This is one of the questions raised by a journalist of Radio 1 when hosting live Rwanda’s minister of local government, Prof. Shyaka Anastase, in a Morning show called Rirarashe which was broadcasted on May 27th, 2020.
The host asked the Minister if it is true that churches activities are not among those which will be authorized to resume soon.
Minister Shyaka replied by calling on those who want this authorization to keep being patient as they did since day 1 of lockdown.
He said that it is still early for the churches to reopen as they might not be able to fulfill required prevention measures which can lead the country back in a bad situation and increase positive cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Minister Shyaka also revealed that closing religious activities was not government’s order but religious leaders’ decision.
“We approached them since first case, even before closing of churches because they have their forum leaders. We asked them what to do, and fortunately some of those leaders had enough information concerning the issue as they did trips in the countries where the pandemic cases were already confirmed and churches were closed”
“So, they asked us to give rules and conditions so that they go and preach them and ask our church members to stay home in order to protect ourselves. They have been good partners in this fight and we thank them a lot.” Minister Shyaka said
He admits that religious activities are essential and important to the community but he said that current situation is not allowing them to give green lights to these activities.
Only Burundi and Tanzania are the countries in East African Community which didn’t close religious activities.
In Africa, some countries like Senegal, Ghana and South Africa are preparing to re-open religious activities but with conditions of wearing face masks and practice social distancing.
