OUR REPORTER AIZAWL, FEB 7
Religious places in Mizoram have reopened on Sunday after almost 11 months as per the government order following a dip in novel coronavirus.
Religious places have been closed in Mizoram since March 22 last year due to the spread of Covid-19.
Earlier on Saturday, Sabbath followers have begun going to church.
However, majority of churches like Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM) and other denominations have re-opened places of worships from Sunday.
According to the latest guidelines, churches are allowed to open with only 50 per cent of their sitting capacity.
No church services are allowed on other days except Saturday and Sunday.
Worship service is allowed only on day time and not in the night on Saturday and Sunday, the order added. Expressing happiness over the reopening of church, Rev. Lalhmunsang F Tusing of Evangelical Free Church of India (EFCI) said it is a great thing and memorable day to resume church service almost after 11 months due to Covid-19.
"It is the work of the almighty. We ought to thank him for his marvelous deed and we should keep praying so the pandemic is complete contained," the church leader said.
A church elder Lalsiamkunga said that the re-opening of churches brings joys to the Christian devote.
However, the COVID-19 outbreak on the hand had reminded us how importance is to be attached to the church.
Mizoram's Covid-19 curve showed a downward slope and the infection rate has dropped to 2.04 per cent.
The state on Sunday reported one Covid-19 case, taking the state's tally to 4,382.
The state now has 23 active cases while 4,350 people have recovered from the virus.
The Covid-19 death toll in the state is nine. Aizawl district reported the highest Covid-19 cases at 2,878 followed by Lunglei district, which reported 414.
Siaha district reported 36 cases, Champhai district (94), Kolasib district (295), Serchhip district (180), Lawngtlai district (331), Mamit district (82), Khawzawl district (23), Hnahthial district (20) and Saitual district reported 29 cases so far. Of the 23 active cases, 16 are in Aizawl district, 3 in Lunglei district, 2 in Lawngtlai district and one each in Kolasib and Hnahthial districts. Altogether, 10,781 healthcare workers have been vaccinated till date.
(Source: The Mizoram Post Vol 18 Issue 240 Aizawl Monday 08 February 2021 http://themizorampost.net/)