Covid-19: Masses resume in
Timor-Leste churches
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| East Timorese queue up at a shopping centre in the capital Dili (ANSA) |
The resumption of Masses, under continuing health protocols,
comes after no new Covid-19 cases were reported in the last two weeks. However,
the government has extended the state of emergency by a month.
By Robin Gomes
Timor-Leste, or East Timor, has officially reopened churches
for daily and weekly Eucharistic celebrations for the faithful, after the
country’s Covid-19 task force reported no new coronavirus cases in the past two
weeks.
The decision by the bishops of the predominantly Catholic
country was announced on May 28, two months after churches were ordered closed
following the discovery of the country’s first Covid-19 case on March 21.
Health protocols during Mass
"Churches are open only for Masses," the bishops
said in a statement signed by Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva of Dili,
Bishop Norberto do Amaral of Maliana and Bishop Basilio do Nascimento of
Baucau.
People who want to attend daily or Sunday Masses have been
urged to continue observing the existing health protocols.
"People must wear masks during celebrations," the
bishops said. "Parish priests and parish councils must ensure the faithful
wash their hands and keep their distance inside churches.”
Emergency extended
So far, Timor-Leste has recorded only 24 positive cases and
no deaths. The state of emergency in the tiny-East Asian nation was to expire
on Thursday, May 28. Despite the fact that there have been no new cases in the
last two weeks, the government has extended the emergency to June 26.
"The government felt the need to extend the state of
emergency given the global pandemic is not over," Prime Minister Taur
Matan Ruak said on May 27.
He said there would be an easing of restrictions, with
businesses being allowed to reopen and churches and schools resuming
activities.
Tight border controls
He also said the country’s emergency response was meant to
anticipate the growing number of Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Indonesia,
whose West Timor province shares the border with Timor-Leste.
According to President Francisco Guterres Lú-Olo, the
decision to extend the state of emergency was agreed upon by MPs. This would
involve, among other things, tightening controls at the country’s land, sea,
and air borders.
“People must also give their full cooperation throughout the
emergency period,” Lú-Olo said. "Citizens must remain disciplined in
following health protocols, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowds and
maintaining a physical distance."
Father Emanuel Lelo Talok, the parish priest at St. Joseph
Church in Dili who celebrated the first Mass on May 28, said he was very happy
to see his parishioners again. While thanking God for His blessings during the
pandemic so far, he hoped it would soon end. (Source: UCANEWS)
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