By Amin Kef Sesay
In a National COVID-19 Response Centre (NaCOVERC) Public Notice dated 3rd July, 2021, having the names of Solomon Jamiru Esq as Spokesperson and Hon. Sheku F. Bangura as NaCOVERC Chairman, members of the public were taken back to the 1st July, 2021 national broadcast by President Julius Maada Bio relating to measures that were highlighted to suppress the third wave of COVID-19.
According to NaCOVERC, the broadcast, among other things, suspended congregational worship in churches and mosques for one month from 2nd July, 2021 and equally directs that attendance at funerals, weddings and other social events shall be limited to no more than fifty persons.
The anti-COVID-19 entity continued that being mindful of their collective responsibility to keep risks very low, it wishes to issue the following advisory: Anyone wishing to have a wedding or funeral ceremony in a church or mosque, must apply in writing to the Operations Pillar Lead, NaCOVERC (in the case of Western Area) or the DiCOVERC Coordinator (in the case of provincial Districts).
NaCOVERC furthered that the application will include the name and address of the place of worship, the name and contact number of the Pastor or Imam-in-charge, the date and time of the wedding or funeral, an undertaking to comply with the measures, and such additional information that may be useful.
Additionally, NaCOVERC/DiCOVERC maintains it will carefully and expeditiously assess applications received and satisfy itself that the conditions to be satisfied are fully met before any eventual approval is granted.
The institution further disclosed that no church or mosque shall allow the conduct of a wedding or funeral ceremony at its premises without the knowledge and prior written approval of NaCOVERC/DiCOVERC, no wedding or funeral that has received the express written approval of NaCOVERC/DiCOVERC shall be held with more than fifty (50) persons in attendance (including the clergy).
NaCOVERC also orders that weddings may take place in private premises, with no more than fifty (50) people but emphasized that the organizers of such events are encouraged to hold them outdoors, with face masking, social distancing and hand-hygiene protocols strictly enforced.
It additionally stated that families may also make private funeral arrangements with funeral parlours, where mourners will not exceed fifty (50) persons, and all COVID-19 protocols strictly observed. Where funeral parlours may not have the advantage of space, their managements may wish to revise the attendance downwards to prevent cross-infections.
NaCOVERC also pointed out that funeral ceremonies at home are strongly discouraged maintaining that Funeral Parlours have the requisite expertize for preservation of corpses and safe burial procedures.
It continued by stating how it will soon establish an online portal where applications will be uploaded.
NaCOVERC strongly advises that crowds should not be permitted to gather outside places of worship or the funeral parlour during funerals or weddings saying that in the case of funerals, processions to the cemetery should be discouraged by the family of the deceased. It however, maintained that if such a procession must take place, only the 50 people allowed at the funeral should be allowed to take part in such a procession.
That all places of worship and funeral parlours are advised to comply strictly with the above directives highlighting that failure to do so will result in punitive action.
NaCOVERC ended by stating how they and their respective DICOVERCs stand ready to support safe wedding, funeral and other social events admonishing all to work together in order to keep risks VERY LOW.
