Churches now have to limit gatherings to 30 persons max
These restrictions came as part of Cabinet supported recommendations for the Territory's COVID-19 preparation and response plans.
Novel Coronavirus infections have now reached global pandemic levels, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Making the announcement, Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), said, "Cabinet also agreed that all social gatherings (including weddings and funerals), faith-based, sporting, cultural, recreational and commercial activities and other non-essential events are advised to restrict numbers to a limit of 30 persons at a time," he said.
Churches taking steps
The Premier was at the time speaking at a Wednesday, March 18, 2020, press conference on the Territory's COVID-19 update, where he noted that the limit will also be a maximum of 10 people for those in vulnerable categories and all restrictions will be in effect for the next 30 days.
Responding to the news, one church, the New Testament Church of God, International Worship Centre immediately sprung into action ahead of the restriction taking effect, to gather all its member for 'a special meeting' at their Baughers Bay location on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Long before the announcement of the new restrictions, at least one other church, the New Life Baptist Church in Duffs Bottom, Tortola said they had put measures in place to protect their congregation from the virus.
Many other churches across the Territory have been meeting to decide on the plans forward to meet the spiritual needs of their members.
The Seventh-day Adventist churches across the VI will use a combination of live and packaged programmes on Youtube, Zoom, WhatsApp, as well as phone calls, to keep ther members connected to each other and to God.
Hospitality Industry
More recommendations also came for those in the food and hospitality industry.
"Cabinet agreed that restaurants, bars, night clubs and other entertainment and hospitality services are advised to implement sanitisation and social distancing measures within their establishments, as advised by the Ministry of Health and Social Development," Hon Fahie said.
According to World Meter, as of 8:00am on March 19, 2020, the number of persons infected with the virus is 225,484 and 9277 persons have died as a result of the infection.
85,831 persons have recovered.
30 Responses to “Churches now have to limit gatherings to 30 persons max”
Valuntrers...volunteers
Tides....tithes
you is ah jack ar$@& . the church is covered by the blood of Jesus. But you must also follow the law of the land, and the law says no more than 30 at a gathering, so they have to obey the law, what you want dem to do ?
BVI and its Internet Service is waaay behind.
As of today, according to reports,the DR has a total of 64 verified cases of Corona Virus and two attributable deaths.
However, the airport remains open to the DR. The Great Lord of The Universe lookin on.
If Corona dont, there is HivAids and all manner of imported and transmitted STDs.