For the first time in two years, the Christian community can host Easter celebrations in large numbers.

This is due to recent changes to the Covid-19 regulations.

The new Covid-19 regulations have raised mixed emotions, however, because they still limit attendance numbers.

Ap Sipho Maseko, Mpumalanga convener of Active African Christians United Movement, said, “On March 22, when President Cyril Ramaphosa changed the regulations, we were happy to know that we can gather now, but disappointed that previously there was a limit of 1 000 people who could attend indoor events and 2 000 people who could attend outdoor events. Under the new regulations, the indoor and outdoor gatherings may reach 50% of the venue’s capacity, provided attendees show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours.

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“For events or venues that do not demand vaccination certificates or a negative Covid-19 status, the 1 000 indoor and
2 000 outdoor attendance limit remains. We will not chase away people from the church services that we have planned for Easter if the attendees are more than the stipulated number. This is a sort of discrimination and we will not do it.”

Ap Moafrika Wa Maila, the founding president of Active African Christians United Movement, said, “As much as we are going to celebrate, we are not happy that we have to fight to be allowed to let members into church without submitting a vaccination certificate.

“This is because we have until the end of this week to fight against the part that says that attendees need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours if we want to fill the venue’s capacity up to 50%. This is against our human rights. They want us to have compliance officers at church to monitor the certificates, which means we are turning a place of worship into a law enforcement place.

“As much as we are going to celebrate Easter, we are not supposed to be busy after Palm Sunday. Even in the Bible, during this period, Jesus did not do much, but we have to be fighting.”

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Maseko said he wants Christians to still focus on Easter activities.

“Let us go and worship God, because we have this opportunity.”