Egypt’s churches reopen with coronavirus measures in place after four-month closure

CAIRO — After a closure of more than four months, Egypt’s churches have reopened to worshipers. The first masses were delivered on Monday with preventive measures in place to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.

Teams of servants and scouts have been assigned to ensure that churches are adhering to the necessary procedures, which include prior registration of attendance, measuring the temperature of worshipers before entering the church, the sterilization of the church before and after each service, ensuring the availability of disinfectants, and the limited of attendance to 25% of the church’s capacity to maintain the social distance.

For the time being, churches have instructed worshipers to avoid the traditional shaking of hands. Face masks should always be worn at all times while inside the church. Worshipers have been requested to bring their personal prayer books, headscarves, and water bottles and to remove their shoes outside the church before entering.