While places of worship such as churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are allowed to reopen under the national lockdown regulations, many have opted to remain closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last week that religious institutions may resume services but gatherings would be limited to 50 people.
“South Africans are a people of deep faith. Our faith is what has seen us through many dark times and sustained us. We understand the great impact that the closure of places of worship have had on members of the faith community, and that this has worsened the distress of communities who are unable to worship in congregation,” he said.
Auwal Masjid and Masjid Boorhaanol Islam in Bo-Kaap confirmed that they will not be opening while Holy Trinity Church in Gardens and St Peter’s Anglican Church in Camps Bay said they will not be conducting services until the situation improves.
Reverend Dave Turner of Cape Town Union Congregational Church said they will also not be opening this Sunday and they were now using messaging apps to connect with each another.
“We won’t be having any services during this pandemic because the risk is just too high. We’ve created a WhatsApp group with the members and we do our services online. We will continue to do so until the situation dies down” he said.
The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) recommend that mosques delay opening their doors for congregational prayers for at least another month.
