Churches welcome ease in restrictions

Churches have welcomed the Government’s decision to further relax the COVID-19 protocols for worship.

On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced during an address to the nation that churches will be allowed to conduct communion and baptisms, preferably outdoors as the country continues to experience a decline in infections.

President of the Barbados Evangelical Association (BEA) Rev Dr Nigel Taylor said he was not surprised at the move because the churches have from day one, been generally cooperative in complying with the health protocols.

“The lifting of the protocol was expected because the Prime Minister herself has on occasions complimented the church and the Minister of Health too has complimented the church for its response. So I would not expect less,” Dr Taylor told Barbados TODAY.

Chairperson of the Barbados Christian Council (BXC) Rev Dr Cecily Athill-Horsford also welcomed the ease.

“We support the further relaxation and we are happy. We will just continue to encourage persons to follow the public health protocols that are in place,” said Dr Athill-Horsford.

The church ease was just part of another move announced by the Government Thursday evening to extend the State of Public Health Emergency for the next five months as it gradually returns to the full reopening of tourism, business and leisure. (EJ)