Ebola: Niger CAN stops handshakes in churches

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger chapter, has asked its members to desist from handshaking during church services to prevent Ebola in the state.

The Niger CAN chairman, Rev. Musa Dada, disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with NAN in Minna.

Dada said the churches have also been directed by the state CAN to continue to enlighten members on the prevention and spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

He said members have also adopted the use of plastic chairs in order to minimise transmission through body fluids.

“CAN as the body of Christ cannot force people to stop handshakes in churches as every individual have his or her beliefs. All we can do is to create awareness to discourage handshakes in churches,” he said.

Also, the Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Bishop Martins Uzoukwu, told NAN that Catholic churches in the state had taken a proactive step in this regard.

“This is by bringing in health personnel to educate our members on the Ebola virus,” he said.

Uzoukwu, who spoke through the Cathedral Administrator of St. Michael’s Cathedral Church, Rev. Godwin Yari, said the Church had also stopped the use of holy water at the church’s entrance.

He said this was part of measures to fight the deadly disease.

“Why we stopped the use of holy water is because church members dip their hands into the water at the entrance of the church as sign of purification.

“But with the outbreak of Ebola disease, we have ordered it to be stopped,” the bishop said.

He urged other priests to always protect themselves while praying for the sick so as to avoid direct contact with Ebola victims.