Leaders of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) are holding consultations on the way forward regarding the holding of physical services at the church’s societies dotted across the country.
This comes after the government gave churches the green light to resume physical services with only congregants fully vaccinated against COVID-19 allowed to attend under strict adherence to WHO prescribed coronavirus containment measures.
In a notice to congregants on Thursday evening, MCZ General Secretary Reverend Martin Mujinga said the church will on Friday issue an announcement on how in-person services will be conducted. He said:
Following the Government’s announcement of the partial opening of Churches, there are questions with regard to the position of the Church.
We are doing some consultations and the statement will be issued by end of the day tomorrow Friday 13 August 2021.
Meanwhile, police on Thursday implored churches not to let unvaccinated worshippers attend in-person services and said they will be out in full force to monitor and arrest violators of the new regulation.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said in a statement:
Churches are implored to strictly comply with the vaccination directive for congregants as stipulated by Cabinet on 11 August 2021.
The police will assist health officials to ensure compliance and arrest anyone defying the safety protocols.
Police will also take action against those who might try to take advantage of the directive and produce fake vaccination certificates.