Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


South African Houses of Worship Find Creative Ways to Address COVID Threat

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - As South Africa's government tries to stop the spread of
   the novel coronavirus, houses of worship have been particularly
   impacted by guidelines to limit gatherings to fewer than 100 people.
   But they are finding ways to reach their flocks as the virus spreads.

   Churches and other houses of worship in mainly Christian South Africa
   are a lot quieter these days.

   Manychurches and synagoguesstarted livestreaming this past weekend, and
   mosques in the Rainbow Nation asked the faithful to instead meet in
   small groups. Worshipers, accustomed to praying shoulder-to-shoulder in
   a crowded environment, spaced themselves out.

   EmmanuelEgbebuisthe organistat Christ the King Anglican Church in
   southern Johannesburg. On Sunday, he playedto a nearly empty church.
   Usually, 400 peopleshow up for worship services. This Sunday, 58of
   thefaithfulturned up.

   The choir too, had few members. In an interview via Skype,Egbebusaid he
   tookfurtherprecautions.

   "I made sure to isolate myself from the congregation as much as
   possible. So the organ is situated in a very different place entirely,
   in a different cubicle. So you don't really have to worry so much about
   having contact with the other people in the church," he said.

.