Authorities in Yambio County on Friday arrested seven members of the Episcopal Church of Demaku for defying coronavirus-related ban on large gatherings.

Thomas Wilson Yanga, the Secretary General of the defunct Gbudue State, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the seven church members are in police custody awaiting trial and the church was closed.

Yanga accused the Episcopal Church leader in the area of defying a ban on large gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The official urged the population to follow health guidelines against the spread of COVID-19, warning that violators would be arrested.

South Sudan has so far recorded 58 cases of coronavirus or COVID-19.

The virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets land in the mouths and noses of another person.

A person can also get infected with coronavirus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or their eyes.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.