KINGSTON, Jamaica — As churches reopened officially today, members of the Seventh Day Adventist church were out but in small numbers as live streaming of services was the preferred mode of worship.

The go-ahead for the reopening of churches during the country’s fight against COVID-19 came earlier this week from Prime Minister Andrew Holness but under strict guidelines.

An advisory from the Jamaica Union of Seventh-Day Adventist under the signature of president Pastor Everett Brown to their churches across the island said: “The Jamaica Union Conference recommends that our church members continue to worship virtually from their homes as we have been doing since March 21, 2020, for the next two weeks. Local conferences should initiate the process to begin the phased reopening of our church buildings for worship services starting Sabbath, May 30, 2020.”

This, the Union said, was being done as the Church creates a balance between ensuring the safety of members in this pandemic, while giving them the opportunity to fellowship and worship in their church buildings.

Communication Director of the Union, Nigel Coke in an interview with OBSERVER ONLINE stressed that while the date of May 30 has been set to get things in place as it pertains to the effective adherence of the COVID-19 protocols, Adventist churches across the island which have the space and the requisite measures in place could go ahead and host members inside church building according to the set out guidelines.

“We are ensuring that everything is in place for the effective carrying out of the stipulated guidelines but Adventist churches which have met the guidelines can go ahead and have members within the church space.

“Many of our church buildings are small, while things like thermometers need to be purchased before members can worship within the worship space of the various churches…and this for some of our member churches takes time.

“The Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist is making assurances double sure for our members and all Jamaica,” Coke said.

OBSERVER ONLINE visited three Seventh Day Adventist churches in Kingston and all were live streaming with only one having members inside the church building.

ANDREWS MEMORIAL SEVENTH DAY – Live streaming of service was conducted.

KENCOT SEVENTH DAY – Live streaming of service was conducted.

HAGLEY PARK SEVENTH DAY – Live streaming was conducted with a few members allowed inside.