Let me say something to our churches, our church people... your faith should not be used as a shield to be foolish," Mr Skelton-Cline said on the Tuesday, March 17, 2020, edition of his 'Honestly Speaking' show on ZBVI 780 AM.

According to Skelton-Cline, some Christians are still involving in behaviour contrary to social distancing recommendations designed to prevent the spread of the virus as recommended by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and the Virgin Islands (VI) Government.

Don't tempt God - Skelton-Cline

"You shouldn't tempt God, you shouldn't test God and you shouldn't expect God to do something for us that he has already endowed us with, the faculties so that we can make wise decisions," he said.

Skelton-Cline continued, "I know some of our Church people are a little uncomfortable and they telling us about social distancing," he said regarding showing affection in the church.

Since last week, Thursday, March 19, 2020, churches and other religious organisations in the Virgin Islands (VI) have had to limit their gatherings to no more than 30 persons as part of restrictions endorsed by Cabinet for the Territory's COVID-19 preparation and response plans.

Pastor Skelton-Cline's comments urging Christians to follow scientific guidelines, takes a slightly different apporach in comparison to comments made by Bishop John I. Cline of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff's Bottom, Tortola.

Nothing to fear - Bishop John I. Cline

Quoting Exodus from the Holy Bible, the outspoken Pastor Cline said that Christians have nothing to fear over the global outbreak of the deadly Novel-Coronavirus (COVID-19) as long as they obey the lord.

"If you listen to the voice of the Lord, if you keep your eyes on him and pay attention to all of his decrees, he says I will put none of these diseases on you that visited the Egyptians because I am the Lord that heals you," Bishop Cline said in a social media video released, March 14, 2020.