Malawi govt agree with churches  to review Covid-19 guidelines

Government has demonstrated commitment to review the newly gazetted guidelines for containing the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) General Secretary, Reverend Francis Mkandawire, has disclosed.

EAM’s general secretary Reverend Francis Mkandawire: Let’s now wait for the government directive

Thursdaymorning, a group of representatives from the religious mother bodies held a meeting with the Presidential Committee on Covid-19 in Lilongwe.

Mkandawire said after the meeting that the government had shown willingness to take integrate inputs from the church and other stakeholders when formulating the succeeding guidelines.

“Government has agreed to review their position on the new rules and make a Statement to the nation as soon as possible. We are aware the gazetted rules brought so much anxiety to many of us in the Church. Thanks for giving dialogue with the government a chance,” he said.

“We have requested that, from now onwards, wider consultations with faith Community on issues which concern us is critical in order to promote ownership and acceptance of Government policies. Thank you for your patience. Let’s now wait for the government directive on this matter,” appealed Mkandawire.

CCAP General Assembly moderator the Reverend Dr Timothy Nyasulu said they were disturbed by the lack of consultations from government on the new rules.

He said: “We are concerned because we were not consulted. The CCAP General Synod is a big church with three big synods in Malawi. We were just ambushed by this gazetted Covid-19 law and as such, we have agreed to maintain the 100 people per worship service, while following all precautionary measures like wearing masks, using hand sanitisers, soap, and observing social distancing.”

On its part, the Pastors Task Force on Covid-19 led by Bishop Maurice Katema said restricting worship gatherings to 10 people was as good as closing the churches.

Warned the bishop: “Let the government hear this: It’s either you listen to our pleas to gather in large crowds like we do or we will defy the orders and fill the churches this Sunday.”

Prophetic Ministries Association of Malawi (Promam) led by prophets David Mbewe and Justice Hara, also bemoaned the lack of consultations in the new preventive measures.

“Churches might meet in tens or might not meet at all, but so long as all these other places continue to gather without observing any of the measures, our efforts are nothing but a joke,” it reads in part.

On Monday, the Catholic Church’s Episcopal Conference of Malawi also expressed disappointment on the lack of consultation, but encouraged their followers to strictly adhere to the health guidelines.

Among the new rules, individuals are supposed to wear masks in all public areas, failing which, they will be fined K10 000; public gatherings are limited to 10, or face a K100 000 fine and three months imprisonment.
Cumulatively, Malawi had recorded 4 752 cases by Wednesday and 152 deaths.

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Kambewa ngozo
3 years ago

Foseki
When you get sick with covid19 go to the so called prophets and get assistance

Bamusi
3 years ago

Kufuna chopeleka basi, aaaa anthu akadwala mydzatukwane Chakwera ndi Chilima, shupit

Keen Observer
Keen Observer
3 years ago

That’s better, government must always work with it’s people. We a government of the people for the & by the people.. Well done Tonse.

Minister without Portifolio

Ok. Church is big business.

Gunde
Gunde
3 years ago

SHAME on Chakwera’s. The man in highly clueless and incompetent

Kambewa ngozo
3 years ago
Reply to  Gunde

Foseki
The President was trying to protect you but unfortunately the called prophets just want your money zopereka

Citizen
Citizen
3 years ago

Other groups such as restaurant owners, bar owners, private school owners
etc should also meet government because they were also not consulted. After all what these other groups do are more important than what these people are calling” essential service”

Psyuta
3 years ago

Chakwera is simply mad. He allows parliament to meet but not churches. He allows buses to board 60% capacity which is more than 60 people in some cases but says churches must have only 10 people. He says you can gather as many as possible so long as you are discussing Covid but he closes schools and colleges some of which have less than 20 learner’s per class. He allows 50 people per funeral but stops church and office meetings of that size. Does Covid spare mourners only? or MPs only? Or Covid meetings only? Or MEC meetings only? Or… Read more »

Corruption free malawi

Kodi u prophet bwanji.? Tachizanitu wa corvid tione. Sikuti after coronavirus nde muzizati come to our churches for healing pamene pano nonse mwabisala kukanika corvid. Nkhani yabvuta ndi cha mbale ndi chikhumi.

Chizaso
Chizaso
3 years ago

Covid19 is a life and death pandemic. I personally want to express my concern over the church’s reaction to government guidelines. I am not a Pastor on the ground maybe there is something I am missing out. But I am pretty sure as a concerned Malawi, the issues are not about being a Pastor or not. I think we should let congregants decide, the church leader in paid positions should allow members to comment on the matter. The pastor is on the beneficial side of the team. I know it’s not every Pastor. But let the truth be told here,… Read more »

martha
martha
3 years ago
Reply to  Chizaso

Mau koma amenewa

Kambewa ngozo
3 years ago
Reply to  Chizaso

Yee that’s right the so called prophets akufuna offerings zopereka. Those who want to risk their lives can do so but don’t cry when you get covid19

Mbonga Matoga
Mbonga Matoga
3 years ago

First of all it is wrong to put a number of people who can assemble at each particular time in a place worship because churches or mosques are built in different sizes. While 100 People can easily be accommodated in a cathedral or a central mosque and maintain social distancing at the same time, this may not be possible in smaller churches or mosques. Therefore instead of putting a limit on the number of worshippers what is important is encouraging social distancing be it 2m or 1m apart and then the size of the churches will determine how many people… Read more »

Nabetha
Nabetha
3 years ago
Reply to  Mbonga Matoga

Brilliant suggestion.

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