In Gabon, mosques will open their doors for the first time in seven months on October 30.
as reported from Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
In March, the Gabonese government closed churches and mosques to slow the spread of Covid-19. On October 16, following strong pressure from the Catholic Church and the resurrection churches, the government announced the reopening of places of worship from October 30.
This reopening was accompanied by a battery of restrictive measures that revolted rebels. The most controversial was the presentation of a negative Covid-19 test that dated less than fourteen days to eat in a restaurant or pray in a church or mosque. More seriously, the test, free for seven months, was now taxed up to 5,000 CFA francs (7.50 euros).
Precautionary principle
The protest paid off. On October 29, the government announced further relief. “The test has been canceled,” the interior minister announced. Lambert Noël Matha also loosened the screw regarding the conduct of worship. “The arrangements, the reliefs relate to the liturgy, especially the sacrament, the sacrament, the sacrifices, the tithe,” he declared. All the measures adopted, implemented by the government on the instructions of the head of state, are governed by the principle of prudence and vigilance ”.
Despite these new cuts, the government remains firm and has only granted one day of prayer per. Week per. Society, Friday for Muslims and Sunday for Christians. Only 30 worshipers are allowed per. Worship, regardless of the size of the place of prayer.
Covid-19 killed 55 people in Gabon at the beginning of these restrictions, including one again on Wednesday 28 October.
► To read too: Coronavirus: Angry Gabonese Churches Reopen Religious Sites
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