New Apostolic Church

East Africa

CORONA VIRUS UPDATE

17th March 2020

To all ministers of NAC East Africa

 CORONA VIRUS UPDATE

Unfortunately we have been informed of cases of Corona Virus (COVID-19) in our territory of East Africa. We do not yet know how widespread the virus is but this letter serves to inform you of the measures that you should take to prevent further spreading of the virus.

To comply with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and local directives in the territory, I wish to issue the following instructions:-

  1. All divine services or activities that bring together more than one congregation are suspended until when you will be advised to resume.
  2. Holy sealing and baptism sacraments are suspended until when you will be advised to resume.
  3. Our tradition of shaking hands is suspended until  when you will be advised to resume
  4. Our tradition of “fellowship” (eating together after divine service) is suspended until when you will be advised to resume.
  5. Kindly make provision for all members to wash their hands with soap and running water or other disinfectant before entering the church building.
  6. Kindly make provision for ministers to wash their hands with soap and running water before dispensing Holy Communion.
  7. If one has a flu or is coughing, he/she should stay at home or wear a surgical mask.
  8. Regarding funerals, kindly follow the advice of the government authorities in your area.
  9. In Kenya, Divine Services will not take place on Sunday 22nd March 2020. Divine services in Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan may proceed as per the guidelines of governing authorities.

The administration office is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to work with the relevant authorities to provide you with weekly updates and appropriate guidance until the virus is brought under control.

Receive with heartfelt greetings

Signed

Joseph Opemba Ekhuya

District Apostle


17 Machi 2020

 Kwa watumishi Wote Kanisa Jipya la Kimitume Afrika Masharki

 VIRUSI VYA KORONA - TAARIFA ZA HIVI PUNDE

Kwa bahati mbaya tumearifiwa kuhusu chipuko la virusi vya Korona (COVID-19) katika wilaya yetu ya Afrika mashariki. Hatujui virusi hivi vimeweza kuenea kiwango kipi lakini hii barua imeandikwa ili kukufahamisha kuhusu mambo unayopaswa kufanya ili kuzuia kuenea kwa virusi hivi.

Ili kuzingatia mapendekezo ya Shirika la Afya Duniani (WHO) na maagizo ya serikali za eneo hili, ningependa kutoa maagizo yafuatayo:-

  1. Ibada zote takatifu au shughuli ambazo zita unganisha zaidi ya kusanyiko moja zimesitishwa mpaka wakati tutakapo shauriwa kufanya hivyo.
  2. Sakramenti za Idhini takatifu na ubatizo wa maji zimesitishwa mpaka wakati mtakapo amrishwa kuzirejelea.
  3. Utamaduni wetu wa kusalimiana kwa mikono umesitishwa mpaka wakati ule mtakapo shauriwa kufanya hivyo.
  4. Utamaduni wetu wa ‘’ushirika’’ (chakula cha pamoja baada ya ibada takatifu) umesitishwa mpaka wakati mtakapo shauriwa kuurejelea.
  5. Fanya bidii kuhakikisha kuwa washiriki wote wana mahali pa kuoshea mikono yao kwa sabuni na maji inayotiririka au dawa za kuziua virusi kabla ya kuingia kwenye jengo la kanisa.
  6. Tafadhali hakikisha kwamba watumishi wamenawa mikono yao kwa sabuni na maji yanayo tiririka kabla ya kupeana ushirika mtakatifu.
  7. Ikiwa mmoja amepatwa na mafua au anakohoa, basi na akae nyumbani au avalie barakoa ya upasuaji.
  8. Kuhusu mazishi, tafadhali fuata maagizo kutoka kwa idara za serikali katika eneo lako.
  9. Nchini Kenya, Ibada takatifu za Jumapili tarehe 22, Machi 2020 hazitafanyika. Ibada takatifu katika inchi za Uganda, Tanzania na Sudan Kusini zitaendeshwa kufuatana na maagizo yatakayo tolewa na Serikali za nchi husika.

Ofisi ya utawala inafuatilia hali hii kwa karibu na itaendelea kufanya kazi na mamlaka husika kukupa taarifa za kila wiki na mwongozo unaofaa hadi virusi vya Korona vitakapowekwa chini ya udhibiti

Pokea salamu zangu za moyoni

 

Sahihi

Joseph Opemba Ekhuya

Mtume Wa Wilaya

 

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