Local Churches: Sunday Prayers Answered

Effective Saturday, September 25, both Sunday and Saturday churches are allowed to have 20 people including clergy and support personnel for face-to-face service. While Sunday remains a no movement day, worshippers are allowed to attend church, but with a gazetted authorization form issued by their place of worship. 

More than 20 people will be allowed to be accommodated while maintaining the physical distancing requirement of up to 50 people. The adjusted gathering limit will also apply to weddings. However, funerals remain restricted to no more than 20 people irrespective of the size of the place of worship.

The amendment comes a week after two Sunday church leaders in Trelawny and St. James lamented what they described as unfair treatment meted out to them by the Government and had called for a revision in the previous measures.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Sundays remain no movement days, however, churchgoers are allowed to move between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm.

The gazetted authorization form should be issued by the place of worship to permit up to 50 persons including clergy and support personnel to travel to and from church on Sundays. PM Holness says authorized persons must have the form available for inspection by the security forces.

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