Wau, 07 February, 2021 / 1:57 pm (ACI Africa).
Following South Sudan’s government circular ordering a one-month partial lockdown after a surge in COVID-19 reported cases, the Catholic Bishop of Wau Diocese has directed that all public liturgical celebrations be suspended.
Bishop Mathew Remijio’s directive is in line with what South Sudan’s High Level National Taskforce announced February 3, when its Chairman, Hussein Abdelbagi declared new lockdown measures saying all businesses and events that attract large crowds would be affected.
The measures include a ban all the social gatherings, such as sporting events, religious events including Sunday church prayers, Salat Al Juma Mosque Prayers, funerals, wedding ceremonies and political events.
The government in South Sudan has also ordered a fresh closure of all pre-schools, schools, universities and all the other learning institutions. Those exempted in the new measures include classes scheduled for examinations “with observations of strict protective measures.”
In his February 4 statement, Bishop Remijio directed that public church activities including meetings, catechism classes and social gatherings be suspended.
