Egypt s Coptic Orthodox Church announced Thursday it will allow marriage ceremonies with a limited number of attendees to be held in churches and conducted in homes.
“Pope Tawadros II decided to allow marriage prayers to be held at churches and at home, after the bride and groom sign a statement that they are committed to allowing only six guests to attend, alongside one priest and a deacon,” the church said in a statement.
The Coptic Orthodox Church ordered last month all its churches to shut their doors and suspend mass as part of measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
The church said the new decision was taken as marriage ceremonies take place more often during the Holy 50 Days which follow the Holy Great Fast of the Coptic Church that lasts for 55 days, and is followed by the Apostles Fast for more than month.
All health guidance and prevention and safety measures will be strictly followed during the ceremonies, it added.
Christians make up around 10 percent of Egypt s population of 100 million. The vast majority of the country s Christians are orthodox.
Earlier this week, the church announced two coronavirus cases among its clergymen.
Egypt has 5,268 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 380 fatalities. Some 1,335 previously confirmed cases have recovered.
