The Standing Committee of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma will sit next week to decide the fate of church ministers who have decided not to get their COVID-19 vaccination.

This was confirmed by general secretary Reverend Iliesa Naivalu yesterday.

This follows the announcement made by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Thursday night who said from 4 October, houses of worship will be able to open at 70 per cent capacity, but only to fully vaccinated persons.

Reverend Naivalu said they had been encouraging their members to get vaccinated since June this year to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus.

“We are happy with the an­nouncement made by the Prime Minister on 70 per cent capacities for churches. We are all looking forward to next month,” Reverend Naivalu said.

“It will be a difficult task for us to monitor members who come to church if they are vaccinated or not,” he said.

“During the standing committee meeting, there would be a chance of the decision being made where someone is assigned at the en­trance of churches to check vac­cination cards of those entering.

“We will have to wait for the out­come of the standing committee meeting next week.”

Other religious organisations

Meanwhile, other religious or­ganisations have also welcomed the announcement for the reopen­ing of the place of worship on Oc­tober 4.

Shree Sanatan Dharam Prati­nidhi Sabha of Fiji national president Sarju Prasad said the announcement by the Prime Minister to relax the COVID safe measures placed to protect the people of Fiji from the pandemic was welcomed by the Sabha.

“With the same token, I plead to all Fijians to exercise the utmost care and protocols that are re­quired even if you are fully vacci­nated,” he said.

Arya Samaj Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji’s media liaison officer Kam­lesh Arya said the Arya Pratini­dhi Sabha regards the opening of the houses of worship as a won­derful window of opportunity to re-engage with faith members once again within the limitation put in place.

Fiji Muslim League president Hafizud Khan said they welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister.

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