Police have arrested a pastor in Juba for allegedly holding Sunday services and violating a safer-at-home order in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Police Spokesman Daniel Justin told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that Pastor Abraham Chol Maketh of Cush International Church was arrested on Sunday for defying coronavirus-related bans on large gatherings.

According to Daniel, the police sprang into action after a tip off from local residents.

“We received reports that Abraham Chol held overnight prayers two weeks ago. On Sunday, our forces went to his church early in the morning and managed to turn away worshippers who came to pray,” he explained.

Justin said the self-proclaimed ‘Prophet of the Lord’ is currently in police custody and will be charged with violating the government’s order banning public gatherings.

He added, “When Abraham came and found no worshippers in his church, he started shouting at our police forces there. So, he will also be charged with public nuisance.”

 The senior police officer said Pastor Abraham Chol will be arraigned in court after investigations by police authorities.

South Sudan’s government banned social gatherings to ensure social distancing and asked Christians to observe the restrictions and pray at home.

South Sudan on Saturday recorded its sixth case of coronavirus.

Key symptoms of the new coronavirus include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. 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.