'Nagaland Baptist Church Council' Calls for Prayers to End Worldwide Coronavirus Crisis

Kohima, March 21, 2020:

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has become the latest to sound the alarm on the deadly coronavirus or COVID-19 that has killed 11,417 people worldwide, with 276,458 cases recorded so far.

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The Council, keeping in view the danger posed by the COVID-19 worldwide, has called upon its members Associations and churches to remain vigilant and alert to potential dangers from this virus. Moreover, the Council has urged their churches and all its establishments to follow the guidelines being established by the State Government.

Moreover, the Church body has also urged the people to pray for the affected countries and an end to the virus. The Church body has also appealed the people to pray for the Government leaders across the world who are making decisions. Further, the appeal to pray for the "provision and protection" for health care establishments has been made, along with an appeal to pray for the leaders of the Church. Calls have also been made to pray for the elderly and financially infirm, as well

Moreover, the Council, in a press statement undersigned by General Secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho has urged everyone to maintain good hygiene and "commonsense measures" to contain the outbreak. Firstly, the Council has called for the possible modifications of ministries including worship services, Sunday School classes, weekday meetings etc which are upto the discretion of the pastor and the church leaders. Meanwhile, the Churches have also been urged to cancel or postpone events involving mass gatherings. Furthermore, the Churches have been urged to provide education resources to members that "encourage best health practices."

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Moreover, the Churches under the Council have also been urged to pray for the children, who are to be kept indoors despite schools being called amid the threat posed by the virus.

In its communique, the Council has also urged its members to wash hands frequently with soap and water, or to use an alcohol-based hand rub. Moreover, people have been asked to cough or sneeze into a handkerchief, that must be washed daily and ironed with a hot iron. At the same time, members have been maintain reasonable distance between themselves and someone who is coughing/sneezing.

Moreover, people who are exhibiting signs of flu, must stay at home and wear a mask to check the infection. Moreover, people caring for the sick have also been encouraged to wear a mask for "personal protection." Moreover, people have been asked to avoid contact with people with flu-like symptoms and avoid hugs and handshakes at all times. At the same time, the Church body has dissuaded its members to travel to foreign nations with a history of the outbreak.

The state of Nagaland, meanwhile, is taking a slew of precautions in a bid to prevent an outbreak of the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, the Special Action Group formed for COVID-19 has in a meeting decided that all people entering Nagaland by road from other states shall be screened. The screening at all the inter state road entry points shall be done by trained health workers in coordination with the police personnel.

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