LISTEN: Ballymoney Church forced to close after COVID-19, along with two churches in Co. Down

By Q Radio News

Three churches across Northern Ireland have been forced to temporarily close because of COVID-19 outbreak.

Hebron Free Presbyterian church on Market street closed for two weeks towards the end of last month because of the outbreak.

It's after dozens of its congregation tested positive for Coronavirus.

The Reverend David Park said the building is due to reopen this Sunday but this will be reviewed by the church governing body tonight.

Social media posts suggest there could be as many as fifty members of the congregation affected. 

Pic: Congregation inside Hebron Free Presbyterian Church

The Rev. Park said he can't confirm exact numbers except to say there are multiple cases. 

In a statement to Q Radio News, he said, "Sadly there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 among our church families.  Since reopening after lockdown the church oversight put government recommendations into place.  

"On Sunday 25th October we learned of two cases connected to the congregation.  

"The Church has not held public services since.  When we learned of multiple cases among our church families and in the Ballymoney area, we took decisive action.  

"The Church was professionally deep cleaned, a fogging machine was purchased for future sanitisation and the church remains closed.  This is under constant review.

Church goers wore masks coming into and going out of the building and maintained two metre social distancing prior to the outbreak.

This included spaced seating.

Local councillor Darryl Wilson told Q Radio it was "worrying news today to learn of a COVID-19 at the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney.

"Can I firstly start by wishing the congregation who have been impacted full and speedy recovery.

"I do know that the Rev Park and the elders at the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church have put in place all measures and adhered to guidance during their time when they've been open over the last number of weeks and months but unfortunately, the church has seen an outbreak of COVID-19.

"I think this is a timely reminder to us all that this awful illness can infiltrate every aspect of our personal and professional lives and I think we should also be reminded that we have to in cold and flu season double down on our effort to protect ourselves and protect vulnerable ones and loved ones and ensure that we stem the spread of this awful virus."

There are also two outbreaks of the virus at Free Presbyterian churches in Co Down.

Last week, Moneyslane Presbyterian Church posted on Facebook to say four of its congregation had tested positive for COVID-19, leading it to suspend its meetings.

Meanwhile, Hillsborough Free Presbyterian Church has announced an outbreak of the virus amongst its congregation.