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Despite government easing the Coronavirus restrictions on social gatherings, some churches have decided not to congregate for church services until further notice.

On Sunday, May 31, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that religious activities would commence in stages starting from June 5.

He said “an abridged format for religious services can commence. Twenty-five percent attendance, with a maximum number of attendances of 100 congregants can worship at a time in a church or at a mosque with a mandatory one-meter rule of social distancing between congregants.”

The churches, including International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Destiny Empowerment Chapel International, Spiritlife Revival Ministries, and The Makers House (TMH) have decided to continue their virtual services to protect their members from contracting the virus.

In a communique signed by the General Secretary of ICGC, Rev. Morris Appiah, it said the church would use the entire month of June to assess, monitor, and evaluate all protocols in a simulation exercise with selected local assemblies in various districts.

It said “this will enable us to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of the protocols throughout our churches nationwide,” the statement said.

It encouraged members to continue to fellowship on-air and on-line with the General Overseer, Pastor Mensah Otabil.

Prophet Bernard Nelson- Eshun, in a statement sent to church members, said the leadership of the Spirit life Revival Ministries has decided to remain closed until when it deemed fit to resume.

He said the decision was taken in the interest of its members and would like to ensure a safe space for worship for its members and visitors.

“Our membership is made up of people with different backgrounds and from varied locations and so it is important to take time to ensure a more secured worship environment to keep our members safe,” he said.

Another church, the Makers House, according to the head pastor and founder, Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye, would remain closed despite the relaxation of restrictions on churches.