Pastors from various churches in Cape Town are reportedly demanding 100% capacity in their churches over the Easter weekend.

Last year, due to stringent lockdown regulations, churches had to shut their doors and could not partake in the Easter celebrations.

According to IOL, the pastors marched in a group from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology campus to Parliament on Friday.

With the Easter weekend looming, churches are waiting for the government to announce whether it will temporarily tighten lockdown restrictions on gatherings as a precautionary measure.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told SABC in an interview on Wednesday that super-spreader events need to be discouraged over the long weekend.

But the pastors are adamant, churches cannot be super spreaders.

“Church cannot be a super-spreader if their activities are not super spreaders. Church is very compliant, we know what needs to be done. If businesses are operating and being compliant, then the church will do the same,” IOL quoted provincial convener of Pastors Against Church Closures Pastor Z Baliso as saying.

Under the current eased lockdown restrictions, the maximum number of people allowed at any gathering – including religious, social, political and cultural gatherings – is 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors.

Reports indicated this week that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet is set to meet and discuss the possible introduction of a higher lockdown level for the Easter weekend period.

Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 said gatherings and festivities during the period could result in increased Covid-19 numbers.

Picture: Cape Town etc gallery

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