In order to prepare for Christmas celebrations under COVID-19, the Yaodu District CC&TSPM in Linfen, Shanxi carried out pandemic prevention and control in 22 grassroots church sites to meet the criteria of reopening.
Approved to celebrate Christmas, these grassroots church sites are should pass the acceptance criteria for reopening of the religious venues established by the united front work department and the local party committee and government.
In addition to preparing the prevention materials, the coronavirus pandemic prevention and control team and protocols were set up. Churchgoers will be assigned to the designated seats at a social distance and the sanctuary should be disinfected after each service. Attended by limited numbers of participants, the celebrations will be held many times on a small scale, without meals and ready-to-eat food that should be served as normal.
Due to the pandemic, the churches in Yaodu District have not reopened, except for the Yaodu District Church that has resumed Sunday services. The 22 sites are being inspected and ordered to rectify the hidden dangers within a time limit.
On the morning of December 4, the district CC&TSPM held a fire safety drill for Christmas in the Yaodu District Church, attended by 80 people, including the heads of pastoral areas and 22 church sites. Combining with the previous inspection recommendations of the fire brigade, the District Church has set up a miniature fire station, which plays a complementary role in the fire protection work of the surrounding communities.
From December 5, more than a dozen deacons, colleagues, and believers started to clean the District Church from the basement to the fourth floor carefully for the Christmas celebrations.
Due to COVID-19, unlike in previous years, there will be sermons and hymns, without theatrical performances.
(The article is originally published by Gospel Times.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
