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Mercy Mwai @wangumarci

The Interfaith Council (IFC) has advised religious institutions to conduct open-air services as part of efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Some churches have, however, gone a step further and announced temporary cessation of physical services in response to the third wave of coronavirus in the country.

In a statement, the council chaired by Archbishop of Nyeri Anthony Muheria wants places of worship to adhere to all the other Covid-19 containment measures including washing and sanitising of hands, social distancing of 1.5 metres and temperature checks.

“At this time, when the threat is at its highest, we must be even more demanding and strict in all the preventive measures already issued by the Interfaith Council and Ministry of Health in our places of worship,” Muheria said.

The council said the strict measures should be adhered to particularly during the Easter season and other religious observances.

The new guidelines came on a day that some congregations announced that they will  stop physical service sessions.

Newlife Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nairobi was the first to make the announcement.

“All church services including midweek events will continue but only online.

All church programs and services to be accessed online,” read an advisory from the church.