To further underscore the imperative of the need to adhere to established protocols in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, a medical health task force constituted by the International headquarters of the Rhema Chapel International Churches has stated the need for church congregation to keep to the set guidelines in order to continue to enjoy an open service.
Speaking during the Thanksgiving Service for the month of June, 2020, at Rhema Chapel International Church Port Harcourt, a member of the task force, who is a medical doctor, Dr. Mrs Jonah warned the church to ensure strict adherence to protocols on COVID-19 or risk being denied access to the worship center.
She noted that the need for improved hygiene cannot be overemphasized at this crucial time of the coronivirus pandemic.
She warned that people should stop denying the reality of the plague just as there were many sufferers from the disease at the University Teaching Hospitals (UPTH) all over the country.
On the need to wear face masks, she noted that many people, including som Christians were in the habit of putting on their face masks wrongly.
She said: “that thing is face mask, it must cover your nose down, I see some people wear it and it would hang down in their ears.”
“I am here from the headquarters church to ensure compliance to all government guidelines on COVID-19, if I see anyone in church not wearing his or her face mask properly, I will send the person out”, she said as she looked around to observe the congregation, while calling on few church members to adjust their face masks to cover their nose down properly.
She informed that children less than six years old needed not to put on the face masks while it is advisable for adults above 55 years old to stay at home and watch the live streaming of the church service on their devices at home.
National Network particularly observed that those who attended the church services were subjected to the protocols of hand washing, application of sanitizer and putting down their names and contact phone numbers in the attendance register.
Similarly, inside the church auditorium, worshippers observed social distancing by occupying three seats in a row.
The last Sunday service which happened to be devoted to thanksgiving went with a message, benefits of Thanksgiving.
The Minister-in-Charge, (MIC) Pastor Abiola Ajadi listed some benefits of thanksgiving to include, access to God’s presence, God seeing his children as grateful, ability to please God and giving glory to God’s name.
