The Maker’s House (TMH), Destiny Arena, has announced that it will remain closed until sanctions on public gathering and worship are relaxed “some more.”

President Akufo-Addo said in an address to the nation on Sunday, 31 May 2020 that worshippers should be limited to a maximum of 100 people with services not exceeding one hour.

In addition to that, religious leaders must enforce the wearing of facemasks, mandatory handwashing and provide a register of all attendants for easier contact-tracing.

This, according to Nana Akufo-Addo, forms part of measures to open up the country for life to return to normalcy after restrictions were imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

In a statement by the Head Pastor of TMH, Michael Boadi Nyamekye on Monday, 1 June 2020, the church indicated it will remain closed although churches are allowed to meet for an hour with not more than 100 people,  considering its “congregation size, number of services required, health of the active players in a service and overhead cost, pressure on equipment and facility and the logistics to put in place i.e. writing of names per service and submitting it to the authorities, all the COVID-19 protocols.”

“I deem it fit to announce to you that TMH (Destiny Arena) will remain closed for some time until we have clarity and the sanctions relaxed some more,” the head pastor noted.

Dr Boadi Nyamekye also entreated Christians to “bear the church and its membership in prayer”.

“Hopefully, this gets over soon so we can meet and hug again.”

Meanwhile, churches and Christians who wish to fellowship following the President’s easing of restrictions on social gathering, can only do so under some strict guidelines, including ensuring that offerings are given wirelessly through electronic means such as Mobile Money and e-banking systems, the Minister of Religious Affairs has said among other at a press conference on Monday, 1 June 2020.

Read the full guidelines below:

Churches are to ensure a No-handshake, No-hugging and No-Spitting policy at all time.

No crowded dancing and waving of handkerchiefs during church services.

Microphones are to be sanitised immediately after each use.

All persons who speak or sing in churches must wear facemask during service.

Churches are to discourage singing in groups and instead use pre-recorded songs.

Pre-packaged communion bread and wine should be picked up by members at the point of entry.

Place offering bowls at the entrance and exit points for members to give offerings and tithes when entering or on their way out of church premises. Encourage cash transfers via mobile money or mobile banking as forms of giving offerings.

In observance of social-distancing protocols, laying-on of hands should not be allowed.