A section of churches, includingMizoram Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army, on Tuesday decided to suspend major religious activities till April 15 in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic.In a circular issued to its local churches, Mizoram Synod, the highest executive body of Mizoram Presbyterian church, said conference, retreat programme, crusade, seminar, meeting and consultation, which would involve mass gathering has temporarily suspended from Tuesday till April 15.The executive body also banned pilgrimage or religious tour within and outside the state, the circular said, adding that the order was issued on the appeal of the state government to take preventive measure against the spread of novel coronavirus.The order also said local churches are given discretionary power whether or not to continue with worship service.The India eastern territory of Salvation Army church, in its notification, also said it has suspended territory-wide conference and other conferences at district, division and extension level till April 15.While giving a free hand to respective local churches to either suspend or continue with worship service, the Salvation Army has banned sectional worship service in private houses.The Mizoram Assembly has also put on hold committee sittings and spot visits till March 31, an official said.It was decided at a meeting that legislators and employees of the Assembly secretariat will be screened at the entrance gate, an official said.Barring any standard office procedure, all meetings and public gatherings within the premises of the Assembly is prohibited until further decision, the official said.Meanwhile, the state government has issued advisories asking people with cough, cold, sore throats and respiratory problems to stay indoors and avoid public places like market and church.The government also issued a travel advisory and discouraged travel to Covid-19 affected states and countries.More than 38,000 people have been screened and at least 145 people quarantined at home till Tuesday, health department officials said.
