“As we now prepare to move to coronavirus alert level 3 on 1 June, we recognise and appreciate their deep desire to return to their duties, to serve their communities and to serve society. 

"After consideration following consultation with our religious leaders, we have therefore determined that as part of the regulations for alert level 3, the current restrictions on congregational worship will be eased in a carefully measured way,” Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation. 

“Places of worship may re-open subject to strict restrictions, which are absolutely necessary if we are to prevent infections from rising in accordance with norms and standards that will be set out in the regulations.” 

He said churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other recognised places of worship may resume services, but these will be limited in size to 50 people or less depending on the space available. 

“Social distancing will have to be observed and all worshipers and participants will have to wear face masks in line with the current regulations. All religious organisations must put protocols in place for, among other things, thoroughly cleaning and sanitising places for worship before and after services,” Ramaphosa said. 

“Our faith communities must ensure that any religious rituals that carry even the slightest possibility of exposing worshipers to risk should be avoided, and that where they form an essential part of religious practice, that sanitisation is paramount.

"Our religious leaders will be recognised as essential religious frontline workers for purposes of spiritual counselling to members of their faith organisations,” the president said. 

He said religious leaders in South Africa will continue to officiate at funerals of not more than 50 people. 

“Our religious leaders occupy positions of immense trust and authority in our communities, and need to play a proactive role in raising the level of public awareness around the coronavirus in their services, in faith communication groups, and through their pastoral work and activities,” Ramaphosa said. 

South African schools are making progress in preparations to reopen on 1 June after shutting down due to the Covid-19 outbreak, although some have not yet received their safety material, the department of basic education said earlier on Tuesday.

In a statement, the department said the council of education ministers met on Monday to look at the progress made so far and heard that schools were being cleaned while delivery of personal protective equipment (PPEs) was taking place.

South African schools and universities have been closed since mid-March in an effort to avoid the spread of the coronavirus among students and staff. 

Last week the department of education said all public school teachers, as well as grade 7 pupils who were set to progress to high school in 2021 and grade 12 learners due to write their final school exams later this year, would be required to return to class next month. 

African News Agency