KUCHING, Jan 13: The churches in Kuching, Sibu and Miri which have been declared Covid-19 red zones have already taken the proactive move to effect the suspension of services a few days prior to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period of Jan 13 to 26.
“All the churches in red zones in Sarawak are making the same common commitment and responsibility to help contain this wave of Covid-19 infections,” said Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) chairman Archbishop Simon Poh in a statement today.
He said from last week, when monitoring the reports from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), he had noticed that this current wave is more extensive that earlier waves with more widespread clusters throughout Sarawak.
“It is important that all churches are taking a concerted effort together with other houses of worship in Sarawak to help flatten the infection curve and this wave to contain Covid-19.
“I request that everyone to pray in our home to seek divine intervention. Above all are to comply to the safety SOPs (standard operating procedures) from SDMC and Unifor (Unit for Other Religions) on a communal and personal level,” said Poh.
He said this during a livestreamed Mass on Sunday (Jan 10, 2021) from St Joseph’s Cathedral, during which he had exhorted all church members to make a commitment to contain and flatten the infection curve as part of their Christian, civic and social responsibility. This includes complying with safety SOP, wear masks in public, using hand sanitiser, maintaining social distancing – even up to 2 metres away if possible, not holding or attending social gatherings, cutting down on unnecessary trips, keeping good safety SOP and minimising points of contact.
“With suspension of masses in churches, stay at home and follow the online prayer services and pray for God’s divine intervention while complying to the safety SOP during this pandemic period.
“As Christians, let us continue to make a commitment to the safety and wellbeing of one another in Sarawak and Malaysia,” said Poh. — DayakDaily
