All churches in South Africa will remain closed for the next 14 days except for funerals.

 Peace in the grace of our Lord Jesus.

 On Monday evening 28 December 2020, President Ramaphosa announced that South Africa has been placed under an “adjusted level 3 lockdown with immediate effect.”  By “adjusted” it means in certain instances it is more strict than the previous level 3 lockdown.

The president said: “All indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days from the date hereof, except for funerals and other limited exceptions as detailed in the regulations, such as restaurants, museums, gyms and casinos.”

The president added saying: “Funerals may not be attended by more than 50 people with social distancing.”

As it stands now, all churches throughout South Africa must remain closed for the next 14 days except for funerals. No 36. (3) of the updated regulations states: All social gatherings, including faith -based gatherings, are prohibited for two weeks. after which this provision will be reviewed.

These Level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January 2021.

Hopefully after two weeks we will be able to re-open our churches for public worship again.

Let us continue to use our social media and phones to communicate with one another and encourage one another to persevere responsibly during this difficult beginning of the new year. Let us pray for our nation that the Lord may help us overcome this pandemic. May the Lord strengthen us with wisdom and courage so that we may never give up witnessing to His love as we face the new year with renewed hope.

Sincerely in Christ,

+Joao Rodrigues

Bishop of Tzaneen Diocese