A Canadian preacher who claimed Christians were safe from coronavirus was on Thursday jailed for three months in Myanmar after he and dozens of his followers became infected when he held a banned service.

The Southeast Asian nation has so far weathered the pandemic well with just 357 confirmed cases and six deaths, although the low numbers tested make many fear the true figures are far higher.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-canadian-preacher-denied-bail-after-church-services-led-to-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-303182">Myanmar: Canadian preacher denied bail after Church services led to surge in coronavirus cases</a>

Toronto-based David Lah, 43, was born in Myanmar and often returns to his motherland to preach.

The country imposed a ban on gatherings in mid-March, but footage emerged in early April of Lah holding a service in Yangon.

"If people hold the Bible and Jesus in their hearts, the disease will not come in," he proclaimed in one video to a roomful of faithful.

"The only person who can cure and give peace in this pandemic is Jesus."

Lah tested positive for coronavirus shortly afterwards, and dozens of confirmed cases were traced back to his followers.

The preacher was arrested after recovering from the illness in May and faced up to three years in jail for violating the Natural Disaster and Management Law.

On Thursday, however, a Yangon court chose to be lenient.

Lah and his colleague Wai Tun had been sentenced to three months imprisonment, Lah's lawyer Aung Kyi Win told reporters outside the court, adding that time already served would be deducted.

A waiting crowd of the preacher's followers erupted into cheers and celebrations at the news.

The scandal even touched Myanmar's Christian vice-president Henry Van Thio and his family, who had attended an earlier service with Lah in February, although they later tested negative.

About six percent of Buddhist-majority Myanmar's population identifies as one of the various Christian denominations in the country.

A Canadian preacher who claimed Christians were safe from coronavirus was on Thursday jailed for three months in Myanmar after he and dozens of his followers became infected when he held a banned service.

A Canadian preacher who claimed Christians were safe from coronavirus was on Thursday jailed for three months in Myanmar after he and dozens of his followers became infected when he held a banned service. The Southeast Asian nation has so far weathered the pandemic well with just 357 confirmed cases and six deaths, although the low numbers tested make many fear the true figures are far higher. Also read | Myanmar: Canadian preacher denied bail after Church services led to surge in coronavirus cases Toronto-based David Lah, 43, was born in Myanmar and often returns to his motherland to preach. The country imposed a ban on gatherings in mid-March, but footage emerged in early April of Lah holding a service in Yangon. "If people hold the Bible and Jesus in their hearts, the disease will not come in," he proclaimed in one video to a roomful of faithful. "The only person who can cure and give peace in this pandemic is Jesus." Lah tested positive for coronavirus shortly afterwards, and dozens of confirmed cases were traced back to his followers. The preacher was arrested after recovering from the illness in May and faced up to three years in jail for violating the Natural Disaster and Management Law. On Thursday, however, a Yangon court chose to be lenient. Lah and his colleague Wai Tun had been sentenced to three months imprisonment, Lah's lawyer Aung Kyi Win told reporters outside the court, adding that time already served would be deducted. A waiting crowd of the preacher's followers erupted into cheers and celebrations at the news. The scandal even touched Myanmar's Christian vice-president Henry Van Thio and his family, who had attended an earlier service with Lah in February, although they later tested negative. About six percent of Buddhist-majority Myanmar's population identifies as one of the various Christian denominations in the country.

Canadian pastor jailed in Myanmar for defying coronavirus ban

A Canadian Christian preacher was denied bail on Wednesday by a court in Myanmar after he held church services, violating a ban on gatherings to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

David Lah, a Canadian of Burmese origin, and Wai Tun, Myanmar national, held church services in the city of Yangon in early April that led to several coronavirus cases, including the Christian preacher himself. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-police-find-the-largest-haul-of-synthetic-drugs-in-south-east-asia-seizing-200-million-meth-tablets-299550">Myanmar police find the largest haul of synthetic drugs in South East Asia, seizing 200 million meth tablets</a>&nbsp;

"For lawsuits which carry a sentence of three years or more, we don't need to grant bail," judge Moe Swe told reporters after the proceedings, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-generals-confess-abusing-prisoners-in-rakhine-state-298737">Myanmar army generals confess abusing prisoners in Rakhine state</a>

Both the accused are facing&nbsp;prison sentences of up to three years under a disaster management law.&nbsp;

Nearly 20 people who participated in the gathering were tested positive, which later led to a cluster of 67 cases including the preacher, officials said.&nbsp;

In Myanmar, over 230 coronavirus cases have so far been reported with at least six deaths.&nbsp;

In many countries in South Asia, religious gatherings have led to a surge in cases.&nbsp;

The matter will next be heard on June 8.&nbsp;

A Canadian Christian preacher was denied bail on Wednesday by a court in Myanmar after he held church services, violating a ban on gatherings to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

A Canadian Christian preacher was denied bail on Wednesday by a court in Myanmar after he held church services, violating a ban on gatherings to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. David Lah, a Canadian of Burmese origin, and Wai Tun, Myanmar national, held church services in the city of Yangon in early April that led to several coronavirus cases, including the Christian preacher himself. Also read | Myanmar police find the largest haul of synthetic drugs in South East Asia, seizing 200 million meth tablets "For lawsuits which carry a sentence of three years or more, we don't need to grant bail," judge Moe Swe told reporters after the proceedings, reported Reuters. Also read | Myanmar army generals confess abusing prisoners in Rakhine state Both the accused are facing prison sentences of up to three years under a disaster management law. Nearly 20 people who participated in the gathering were tested positive, which later led to a cluster of 67 cases including the preacher, officials said. In Myanmar, over 230 coronavirus cases have so far been reported with at least six deaths. In many countries in South Asia, religious gatherings have led to a surge in cases. The matter will next be heard on June 8.

Myanmar: Canadian preacher denied bail after Church services led to surge in coronavirus cases

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Canadian pastor jailed in Myanmar for defying coronavirus ban

Myanmar: Canadian preacher denied bail after Church services led to surge in coronavirus cases