Religious groups, worshippers reminded of protocols

RELIGIOUS groups and their followers have been reminded to stick to the protocols when public worship resumes on Monday.

A Health Ministry press release on Sunday clarified the conditions under which religious or ecclesiastical organisations will be allowed to hold public religious meetings or services, as well as christenings and baptisms, which was previously banned under the covid19 public health restrictions.

The Prime Minister announced last Friday an easing of restrictions on public worship and public religious activities at a press conference in Tobago which came after a three-day Cabinet retreat.

The release said the Health Minister has authorised religious or ecclesiastical organisations to hold religious meeting or services in person “where the gathering at any place used for such a purpose does not exceed 25 per cent of the allowed capacity of the place, and the religious meetings or services do not exceed one hour.”

It also said christenings and baptisms can be carried out in person, with gatherings not exceeding ten people, and that the christenings and baptisms may not last more than an hour.

The ministry reminded organisations that they could continue to hold funerals and weddings in person, once the number of people present does not exceed ten.

The release said these events could be carried out from Mondays -Sundays until further notice and authorisation granted under regulation 3 (10) of the Emergency Powers (No. 2) Regulations, 2021.

It advised religious or ecclesiastical organisations and their members to comply strictly with the other legal requirements of the Emergency Powers (No. 2) Regulations, 2021, the Public Health regulations and the public health guidelines.